Lanolin
171216
225249864
2008-07-12T18:14:40Z
Buck Mulligan
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/* Uses */ added internal link
'''Lanolin''', also called '''Adeps Lanae''', '''wool wax''', '''wool fat''', '''anhydrous wool fat''' or '''wool grease''', is a greasy yellow substance secreted by the [[sebaceous gland]]s of [[wool]]-bearing animals such as [[sheep]]. Chemically akin to [[wax]], it can be used as a skin ointment or water-proofing wax, and is also sometimes used as a raw material in the manufacture of such products as [[shoe polish]]). Lanolin's ability to act as a waterproofing wax aids sheep in shedding [[water]] from their coats. Certain breeds of sheep produce large amounts of lanolin, and the extraction can be performed by squeezing the wool between rollers. Most or all of the lanolin is removed from wool when it is processed into [[textiles]], such as [[yarn]] or [[felt]].
==Chemical makeup==
Lanolin is chiefly a mixture of [[cholesterol]] and the [[ester]]s of several [[fatty acid]]s. Crude (non-medical) grades of lanolin also contain [[wool alcohol]]s, which are an [[allergen]] for some people. Recent studies also indicate that [[antibiotic]]s are present in the lanolin. The extract is insoluble in water, but forms an [[emulsion]]. At one point, the name Lanolin was trademarked as the generic term for a preparation of sheep fat and water.
<ref name="tradecourt">{{cite court
|litigants=Jaffe v. Evans & Sons, Ltd.
|vol=
|reporter=U.S.
|opinion=
|pinpoint=
|court=Supreme Court, Appellate Division, First Department, New York
|date=March 21, 1902
|url=}}</ref>
==Uses==
Lanolin is used commercially in many products ranging from [[rust]]-preventative coatings to [[cosmetics]] to [[lubricant]]s. Some sailors use lanolin to create a slippery surface on their propellers and stern gear to which [[barnacles]] cannot adhere. The water-repellent properties make it valuable as a lubricant grease where corrosion would otherwise be a problem, particularly on [[stainless steel]], which becomes more vulnerable to corrosion when starved of oxygen.
'''Medical grade lanolin''' is used as a cream to soothe [[skin]]. It is pure, [[hypoallergenic]] and [[bacteriostatic]]. In this form it is used by some [[breastfeeding]] mothers on sore and cracked nipples. This grade of lanolin can also be used to treat [[chapped lips]], [[diaper rash]], dry skin, itchy skin, rough feet, minor cuts, minor [[burn (injury)|burns]] and skin abrasions. Many varieties of shaving cream contain lanolin. As an [[ointment]] base, it is readily absorbed through [[skin]], facilitating absorption of the medicinal chemicals it carries. Some [[folk medicine]] traditions use lanolin in the nose, in small amounts, to treat head colds.
Lanolin is often used by baseball players to soften and break in their gloves (shaving cream that contains lanolin is popularly used for this).
The name given to the product '[[Olay|Oil of Olay]]' is derived from the word "lanolin," a key ingredient, which was chosen by the inventor, Graham Wulff.<ref name="olay-wulff">{{cite web | url = http://www.uk.pg.com/products/products/olay.html | title = History of Olay | publisher = Procter & Gamble}}</ref>
Using cosmetic products which contain impure lanolin can result in an allergic reaction in some people.
Lanolin is often used as a raw material for producing [[Cholecalciferol|vitamin D3]].
==Production==
Crude lanolin constitutes approximately 5-25% of the weight of freshly shorn wool. The wool from one [[Merino sheep]] will produce about 250-300 ml of recoverable wool grease. Lanolin is extracted from wool via a scouring process. This process involves washing the wool in hot water with a special wool scouring detergent to remove dirt, wool grease (crude lanolin), suint (sweat salts), and anything else stuck to the wool. The wool grease is continuously removed during this washing process by [[centrifuge|centrifugal]] separators, which concentrate the wool grease into a wax-like substance melting at approximately 38°C.
==References==
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{{E number infobox 910-919}}
[[Category:Animal glandular products]]
[[Category:Waxes]]
[[Category:Lubricants]]
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[[es:Lanolina]]
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[[ru:Ланолин]]
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==Links==
[http://www.lanotec.com.au] '''Lanotec''' - Lanolin based alternatives to petro-chemical products