Organic Chemistry

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fusel oil

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. | 2008 | Copyright

fusel oil , oily, colorless liquid with a disagreeable odor and taste. It is a mixture of alcohols (largely amyl alcohols) and fatty acids, formed during the alcoholic fermentation of organic materials. After imperfect distillation of these fermentation products it becomes an impurity in the distilled liquor. Fusel oil is used as a solvent in the manufacture of certain lacquers and enamels (it dissolves nitrocellulose). It has a detrimental effect on the human system.

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fusel oil

A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition | 2005 | | Copyright

fusel oil A mixture of organic acids, higher alcohols (propyl, butyl, and amyl), aldehydes, and esters, known collectively as congeners, produced in alcoholic fermentation.

It is present in low concentration in wines and beer, and in high concentration in pot‐still spirit. On maturation of the liquor fusel oil changes and imparts the special flavour to the spirit. Many of the symptoms of hangover can be attributed to fusel oil in alcoholic beverages.

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DAVID A. BENDER. "fusel oil." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 12 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

DAVID A. BENDER. "fusel oil." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (February 12, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O39-fuseloil.html

DAVID A. BENDER. "fusel oil." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Retrieved February 12, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O39-fuseloil.html

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fusel oil

World Encyclopedia | 2005 | Copyright

fusel oil Poisonous, clear, colourless liquid with a disagreeable smell. It consists of a mixture of amyl alcohols, obtained as a by-product of the fermentation of plant materials containing sugar and starch. It is used as a solvent for waxes, resins, fats and oils, and in the manufacture of explosives.

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"fusel oil." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (February 12, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-fuseloil.html

"fusel oil." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved February 12, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-fuseloil.html

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

	Understanding congeners in wine: how does fusel oil form, and how important... Magazine article from: Wines & Vines; 6/1/2010
	Tidbits.(TASTE) Newspaper article from: Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN); 6/11/1997
	Fermented alcohol.(Bio-Fuel)(Henan Tianguan Group)(Brief article) Magazine article from: China Chemical Reporter; 7/26/2006