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						Some Common Myths Thought to be True - Myth 117
						
						 Myth 117: Banana Oil Comes from Bananas 
						Isoamyl acetate, also known as isopentyl acetate, is an organic compound that
						is the ester formed from isoamyl alcohol and acetic acid. It is a colorless
						liquid that is only slightly soluble in water, but very soluble in most organic
						solvents. Isoamyl acetate has a strong odor (similar to Juicy Fruit, a foam
						banana sweet or a pear drop) which is also described as similar to both banana
						and pear. Banana oil is a term that is applied either to pure isoamyl acetate
						or to flavorings that are mixtures of isoamyl acetate, amyl acetate, and other
						flavors.
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						 As a solvent and carrier for materials such as
						nitrocellulose, it was extensively used in the aircraft industry for stiffening
						and wind-proofing fabric flying surfaces, where it and its derivatives were
						generally known as 'dope.' 
						
						Now that most aircraft are all-metal, such use is now limited to model
						aircraft, where it is still popularly used for strengthening tissue coverings
						and balsa wood.
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