Tag: Petrochemicals

Over 79 million people in the United States reported a desire to reduce their animal product consumption in 2024, driving demand for transparency in cosmetic ingredients. Consumers often ask, "Is isododecane vegan?" and the answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no, depending on its specific source and manufacturing process.

Food color 133, also known as Brilliant Blue FCF, is a synthetic dye derived from petroleum-based aromatic hydrocarbons. This additive is widely used in the food industry to produce bright blue and green shades in various products.

While most people associate petroleum with fuel, the process of refining crude oil actually produces a wide range of useful byproducts. Among these, we find the two products which are not used as fuel, but rather serve various important industrial and consumer purposes in their stable, non-combustible forms.

While crude oil was formed over millions of years from ancient, decomposed organic matter including plankton and plants, the question of whether vegans can use petroleum is complex. This debate goes beyond simple ingredient checks to encompass the wider environmental and ethical implications of supporting the fossil fuel industry.

In the human body, beneficial gut bacteria produce propionic acid by fermenting dietary fiber, and this compound is also obtained from various natural food sources. Beyond its biological origins, propionic acid is manufactured extensively on an industrial scale for diverse applications, including food preservation and chemical production.

Hydrogenation is a chemical process involving the addition of hydrogen molecules to a compound, resulting in a change to its properties. While known primarily for its use in creating solid fats for food products, this versatile reaction is actually a cornerstone of modern manufacturing, impacting far more than just our kitchen pantries.

The industrial use of hydrogenation dates back to the late 19th century, a process that has become a cornerstone of modern industrial chemistry. From food processing to refining fuels, understanding the importance of hydrogenation in industry is crucial for appreciating its impact across multiple sectors.

First discovered in the late 19th century by chemist Paul Sabatier, the main purpose hydrogenation serves is the chemical addition of hydrogen to a substance. This process, facilitated by a metal catalyst, converts unsaturated bonds into saturated ones, fundamentally altering the molecule's physical and chemical properties.

Globally, petroleum provides more than 90% of the energy consumed by the transport sector. This remarkable statistic underscores the vital role oil plays in modern society and compels a deeper look into the question: how do we use oil for energy in our daily lives?

The advent of synthetic dyes, beginning with the discovery of mauveine in 1856, marked a seismic shift away from natural pigments, fundamentally transforming industrial processes and consumer goods. These artificial colorants, derived primarily from petrochemicals, have since become ubiquitous in countless products.