pristane
/ˈprɪsteɪn/
noun
- A colorless, oily hydrocarbon found naturally in shark liver oil and some other animal fats, used in biochemistry and cosmetics.
- Scientists extracted pristane from shark liver oil for use in laboratory experiments.
- The presence of pristane in the sediment helped researchers study ancient marine environments.
- Pristane is sometimes added to cosmetics as a moisturizing ingredient.