Mineral oil

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Mineral Oil

Mineral oil (/ˈmɪnərəl ɔɪl/), also known as liquid petroleum, is a byproduct of the distillation of petroleum to produce gasoline and other petroleum-based products from crude oil. It is a transparent, colorless oil composed mainly of alkanes and cyclic paraffins, related to petroleum jelly (also known as "white petrolatum").

Etymology

The term "mineral oil" is derived from the fact that it is obtained from minerals, unlike vegetable and animal oils. The term "mineral" in "mineral oil" is used in its original sense, which means "related to or derived from minerals".

Uses

Mineral oil has a wide range of uses in various fields. In the medical field, it is often used as a laxative due to its ability to prevent water absorption from the stool, thus keeping the stool soft and easy to pass. It is also used in cosmetics, especially in baby lotions, cold creams, ointments, and cosmetics. In the industrial field, it is used as a hydraulic fluid in machinery and vehicles.

Related Terms

  • Petroleum: A naturally occurring, yellowish-black liquid found in geological formations beneath the Earth's surface. It is commonly refined into various types of fuels.
  • Alkanes: Any of the series of saturated hydrocarbons including methane, ethane, propane, and others.
  • Paraffins: A white or colorless soft solid derivable from petroleum, coal or oil shale, that consists of a mixture of hydrocarbon molecules containing between twenty and forty carbon atoms.
  • Petroleum Jelly: A semi-solid mixture of hydrocarbons, having a melting point usually ranging from 25 to 30 °C (77 to 86 °F), originally promoted as a topical ointment for its healing properties.
  • Laxative: Substances that loosen stools and increase bowel movements. They are used to treat and prevent constipation.

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