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Prepared at the 51st JECFA (1998), published in FNP 52 Add 6 (1998) superseding specifications prepared at the 44th JECFA (1995), published in FNP 52 Add 3 (1995). ADI Class I 0-1mg/kg bw (temporary) and Group ADI Class II and Class III 0-0.01 mg/kg bw (temporary), established at the 51st JECFA in 1998. |
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SYNONYMS |
Liquid paraffin, liquid petrolatum, food grade mineral oil, white mineral oil; INS No. 905a |
DEFINITION |
A mixture of highly refined paraffinic and naphthenic liquid hydrocarbons with boiling point above 200o; obtained from mineral crude oils through various refining steps (eg. distillation, extraction and crystallization) and subsequent purification by acid and/or catalytic hydrotreatment; may contain antioxidants approved for food use.
The oil is divided into three classes having different viscosities and average molecular weights as specified below. |
C.A.S. number |
8012-95-1 |
DESCRIPTION |
Colourless, transparent, oily liquid, free from fluorescence in daylight; odourless |
FUNCTIONAL USES |
Release agent, glazing agent |
CHARACTERISTICS | |
IDENTIFICATION | |
Solubility |
Insoluble in water, sparingly soluble in ethanol, soluble in ether |
Burning |
Burns with bright flame and with paraffin-like characteristic smell |
PURITY | |
Viscosity, 100o |
Class I: 8.5-11 mm2/s Class II: 7.0-8.5 mm2/s Class III: 3.0-7.0 mm2/s |
Carbon number at 5% distillation point |
Class I: >25 Class II: >22 Class III: >17 The boiling point at the 5% distillation point is higher than: 391o for Class I substances, 356o for Class II substances and 287o for Class III substances. |
Average molecular weight |
Class I: 480-500 Class II: 400-480 Class III: 300-400 |
Acidity or alkalinity |
To 10 ml of the sample add 20 ml of boiling water and shake vigorously for 1 min. Separate the aqueous layer and filter. To 10 ml of the filtrate, add 0.1 ml of phenolphthalein solution TS. The solution is colourless. Not more than 0.1 ml of 0.1N sodium hydroxide is required to change the colour to pink |
Readily carbonizable substances |
Place 5 ml of the sample in a glass-stoppered test tube that has previously been rinsed with chromic acid cleaning mixture. Add 5 ml of sulfuric acid TS, and heat in a boiling water bath for 10 min. After the test tube has been in the bath for 30 sec, remove it quickly, and while holding the stopper in place, give three vigorous vertical shakes over an amplitude of about 10 cm. Repeat every 30 sec. Do not keep the test tube out of the bath longer than 3 sec for each shaking period. At the end of 10 min from the time when first placed in the water bath, remove the test tube. The sample remains unchanged in colour, and the acid does not become darker than standard colour produced by mixing in a similar test tube 3 ml of ferric chloride TSC, 1.5 ml of cobaltous chloride TSC, and 0.5 ml of cupric sulfate TSC, this mixture being overlaid with 5 ml of mineral oil. |
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons |
Passes test |
Solid paraffins |
Dry a suitable quantity of the substance to be examined by heating at 100o for 2 h and cool in a desiccator over concentrated sulfuric acid. Place in a glass tube with an internal diameter of about 25 mm, close the tube and immerse in a bath of iced water. After 4 h the liquid is sufficiently clear for a black line, 0.5 mm wide against a white background held vertically behind the tube, to be easily seen. |
Lead |
Not more than 1 mg/kg Prepare a sample solution as directed for organic compounds in the Limit Test and determine by atomic absorption spectroscopy |