It is a semi-liquid substance consisting mainly of palmitoyl esters and cetyl alcohol, produced in a spermaceti organ inside the sperm whale’s head. This organ can contain up to 1900 liters of spermaceti. The spermaceti retains its semi-liquid consistency only at the whale’s body temperature and solidifies upon contact with air temperature.
Up to two tons of spermaceti can be obtained from the body of a large individual, which can be used to make candles, ointments, creams, medicines, crayons, and ink. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, spermaceti was the best machine lubricant. Today is it used in the pharmaceutical industry.
Spermaceti is one of the substances extracted by whalers.
