FUSEL OIL Meaning and
Definition
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Fusel oil refers to a byproduct of the fermentation process in distillation, particularly during the production of alcohol. It is a complex mixture of volatile compounds with a strong, pungent odor and a disagreeable taste. Fusel oil consists mainly of higher alcohols or alcohols with more carbon atoms than ethanol, typically ranging from three to ten carbon atoms in their chemical structure. These include compounds such as propanol, butanol, and amyl alcohols.
The term "fusel" originates from the German word "fusel" or "fuselöle," meaning "bad liquor" or "waste oil" due to its undesirable taste and effects. Fusel oil is considered a secondary product in the production of alcoholic beverages, particularly spirits like whiskey, rum, and brandy. While it gives alcoholic drinks some unique flavor notes, excessive amounts of fusel oil can contribute to the characteristic harsh, burning sensation experienced when consuming strong liquors.
In industrial settings, fusel oil is often separated from the desired ethanol component through refining processes. It is considered a byproduct rather than a desirable component due to its negative sensory properties. However, fusel oil finds usage in certain sectors, such as in the production of some organic chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and solvents. Despite its potential industrial applications, fusel oil is primarily recognized for its presence in low-quality alcoholic products and its association with negative sensory characteristics.
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• Grain oil, a mixture of amyl alcohol and other homologous products formed during alcoholic fermentation.
• Amyl alcohol; in general a mixture in varying proportions of amyl, butyl, hexyl, and propyl alcohols, present in newly distilled spirits.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for FUSEL OIL
- dusel oil
- cusel oil
- vusel oil
- gusel oil
- tusel oil
- rusel oil
- fysel oil
- fhsel oil
- fjsel oil
- fisel oil
- f8sel oil
- f7sel oil
- fuael oil
- fuzel oil
- fuxel oil
- fuswl oil
- fussl oil
- fusdl oil
- fusrl oil
Etymology of FUSEL OIL
The word "fusel" comes from the German word "fusel", which means "bad liquor" or "low-quality spirits". The term "fusel" originated in the late 18th or early 19th century, referring to the impurities and undesirable components found in poorly distilled alcoholic beverages.
The word "oil" in "fusel oil" refers to the oily texture and appearance of this byproduct. "Fusel oil" first appeared in the mid-19th century as a term for a mixture of higher alcohols produced as a byproduct of alcoholic fermentation and distillation. These higher alcohols have a stronger aroma and taste compared to ethanol, the primary alcohol found in most beverages.
Overall, the term "fusel oil" was coined to describe the unpleasant and harsh-tasting oils extracted from low-quality alcohol, reflecting the negative association with this byproduct.
Similar spelling words for FUSEL OIL
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