Sperm oil
.svg){kind=spacer}
Sperm oil is a liquid wax obtained from the spermaceti organ of the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus). It was historically used as a lubricant, in lamp oil, and in the manufacture of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
Composition and Properties[edit | edit source]
Sperm oil is composed primarily of wax esters, which are long-chain fatty acids and alcohols. Unlike most other animal fats, sperm oil remains liquid at room temperature. This unique property made it highly valued for various industrial applications.
Historical Uses[edit | edit source]
Lubricant[edit | edit source]
Sperm oil was prized as a high-quality lubricant for precision instruments, such as chronometers and watches. Its stability and resistance to high temperatures made it ideal for use in machinery and automobiles.
Lamp Oil[edit | edit source]
Before the advent of kerosene and electricity, sperm oil was widely used as a fuel for oil lamps. It produced a bright, clear flame with minimal smoke, making it a preferred choice for indoor lighting.
Cosmetics and Pharmaceuticals[edit | edit source]
Sperm oil was also used in the production of cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Its unique properties made it a valuable ingredient in creams, lotions, and ointments.
Decline in Use[edit | edit source]
The use of sperm oil declined significantly in the 20th century due to the development of synthetic alternatives and the whaling industry's impact on sperm whale populations. The International Whaling Commission (IWC) imposed a moratorium on commercial whaling in 1986, further reducing the availability of sperm oil.
Modern Alternatives[edit | edit source]
Today, synthetic lubricants and other substitutes have largely replaced sperm oil in industrial applications. Jojoba oil, which has similar properties, is often used as a natural alternative in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
External Links[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
