In addition to jojoba liquid wax, other widely used oil drugs are: peanut, coconut, olive, linseed, corn oil, cocoa and shea butter, beeswax (of animal origin) and of carnauba (obtained from the leaves of plants belonging to the Copernicia genus).
An oil, after being extracted, is subjected to refining processes to respond to the many and different market demands; for example, a freshly pressed oil may have exceptional antioxidant properties, but an extremely unpleasant odor (for example, the seeds of the female variant of Ginko are rich in butyric acid, responsible for their stench of rotten meat), which would compromise the its cosmetic use: hence the need for a rectification process.
- Deodorization process: aims to eliminate, or minimize, the bad or unwelcome odor of a certain oil product; this is due to the presence of volatile compounds in the unsaponifiable portion or to the presence of low molecular weight fatty acids in the component Unfortunately, deodorization, as well as all the other refining processes to which an oil product can be subjected, is not so selective as to remove only the negative agent. Deodorization is carried out with the help of activated carbon, to which they bind volatile substances, but also other molecules; consequently, a refined oil is a less functionally active oil than the oil obtained by simple pressing. Let's say that the refining process is a fair compromise between the elimination of the unwanted component and the maintenance of the functional properties of the drug, although these are significantly reduced.
- Discoloration process: this also refers to the use of activated carbon.
- Neutralization: process that aims at the elimination of free fatty acids, thus reducing the acidity of the refined product. This process is carried out using alkalizing substances or buffers.
- Degumming: tends to eliminate gums, intended as heteropolysaccharide mixtures; it is carried out by blowing steam at 120 ° C on the oil, obtaining the separation of the rubbers in the form of a precipitate.
All refining processes are drastic and non-selective processes; therefore, the final product, from a functional point of view, is less valid than the raw one, but more accessible to the consumer and the formulator.
Other articles on "Oil Grinding"
- Liquid jojoba wax
- Pharmacognosy
- Drugs characterized by the presence of active ingredients deriving from the scichimic acid pathway