Everything about Spermaceti totally explained
Spermaceti (from
Greek sperma, seed, and
cetus, whale) is a
wax present in the head cavities of the
sperm whale (
Physeter macrocephalus) and in the
blubber of all whales. Spermaceti is extracted from
whale oil by crystallisation at 6 °C, when treated by pressure and a chemical solution of caustic
alkali. Spermaceti forms brilliant white crystals that are hard but oily to the touch, and are devoid of taste or smell, making it very useful as an ingredient in cosmetics, leatherworking and lubricants. The substance was also used in making
candles of a standard
photometric value, in the dressing of fabrics, and as a pharmaceutical
excipient, especially in
cerates and
ointments.
Properties
Spermaceti is insoluble in water, very slightly soluble in cold
alcohol, but easily dissolved in
ether,
chloroform,
carbon disulfide, and boiling
alcohol. Spermaceti consists principally of
cetyl palmitate (ester of
cetyl alcohol and
palmitic acid), C
15H
31COO-C
16H
33.
A botanical alternative to spermaceti is a derivative of jojoba oil,
jojoba esters, C
19H
41COO-C
20H
41, a solid wax which is chemically and physically very similar to spermaceti and may be used in many of the same applications.
Esters of cetyl alcohol and jojoba oil are used as a substitute for spermaceti.
Spermaceti processing
Spermaceti was gathered during whaling and was considered a valuable resource by
whalers due to the high price that could be fetched for it. The sperm whale's head was either brought on deck or lashed to the side of the boat where a whaler would cut a hole in the case. The spermaceti could then be drawn out by bucket or a whaler would enter the hole and manually remove the fluid. Once gathered the spermaceti would be placed in barrels for the voyage home. A large whale would have as much as three tons of spermaceti.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Spermaceti'.
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