Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Hydrogenation adds hydrogen across the double bonds of unsaturated vegetable oil using a nickel catalyst, converting a liquid oil into a more solid fat. The degree of hydrogenation, partial or complete, decides which product results.
Step 2: Key Fact:
When only some of the double bonds in the oil are hydrogenated, the product stays semi solid and spreadable, and this is how margarine is manufactured. Complete hydrogenation instead produces a fully saturated, hard fat.
Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Butter and cheese are both dairy products with no hydrogenation step in their production at all.
Vanaspati ghee comes from nearly full hydrogenation, not partial hydrogenation.
Only margarine matches a process that stops at partial conversion of the double bonds.
Step 4: Final Answer:
Partial hydrogenation of vegetable oil with a nickel catalyst produces margarine.