Subscription Center
Apr 13, 2009 | 5
.jpg)
Last week, ScientificAmerican.com reported on the resurrection of olestra—a chemical once touted as the great fat alt in chips and crackers that tumbled when it turned out that it triggered gastrointestinal problems in those who chomped products containing it. The new use of olestra's chemical cousins had nothing to do with food but rather with making ecofriendly paints and lubricants.
At the time, scientists for Procter & Gamble, which makes olestra, weren't available to dish on the new olestra-like chemicals. But since then, we've had a chance to chat with them and find out a bit more info about the new line of chemicals dubbed Sefose.
Apr 6, 2009 | 1
Remember olestra, the zero fat/zero cal fat substitute initially ballyhooed as the way to slim ever-expanding waists that met with a rapid demise when consumers began complaining of an unfortunate side effect called (forgive the graphic imagery) anal leakage?
Olestra may no longer be in your potato chips and crackers, but you may see something close to it on the shelves of your local hardware store. Procter & Gamble, the company that makes olestra (brand name Olean), is now using olestra-like chemicals to make eco-friendly paints and lubricants. The new product line is called Sefose (you didn't think they would call it olestra, did you?), and provides a "cost-competitive sustainable alternative to petrochemicals in various applications," according to the P & G Web site.
See what we're tweeting about
Deadline: Aug 31 2013
Reward: $100,000 USD
The Geoffrey Beene Foundation Alzheimer’s Initiative (GBFAI) is launching the 2013 Geoffrey Beene Global NeuroDiscovery Challenge whose
Deadline: Jul 15 2013
Reward: $5,000 USD
SciBX: Science-Business eXchange, a joint publication from the makers
Powered By: 
YES! Send me a free issue of Scientific American with no obligation to continue the subscription. If I like it, I will be billed for the one-year subscription.
