Hexane – a solvent used in the food industry.

A short characteristics of hexane – a solvent commonly used for oil production.

Pressing is the oldest method of obtaining oil from seeds. However, marcs contain as much as 15%-20% of fat which leads the oil production industry to implement so called solvent extraction.

The extraction process refers to immersing marcs (seed pulp) in hexane (petroleum solvent). Then, as a result of diffusion, fat remaining in marcs is extracted. The obtained fraction is distilled in order to remove the solvent. The efficiency increases further by over a dozen percent and everybody is happy. But does it really refer to everybody?

Hexane constitutes the substance classified as dangerous:

• It is harmful by inhalation– vapours may cause drowsiness, somnolence, dizziness, and headaches.
• It is irritating to mouth, throat, lungs and stomach.
• It irritates eyes and skin.
• It may cause lung damage if swallowed.
• Possible risk of impaired fertility.
• Poses a serious damage to health by prolonged exposure. May cause damage to organs.
• Toxic to aquatic life. May cause long-term adverse effects in the aquatic environment.
• Highly flammable. Vapours are heavier than the air and they may move above the ground, in contact with the air they may form explosive mixtures. The risk of ignition in case of electrostatic charges accumulation.

I wonder whether oil for the production of which the above mentioned preparation has been used, may be called the “food product”?