Degreasing, often called defatting or fat trimming, is the removal of fatty acids from an object.
Degreasing is often used by dieters, particularly those following low-fat diets to reduce their fat consumption to induce weight loss.
Hence, dieters often view decreasing fat consumption as an efficient way of losing weight without greatly sacrificing total volume of food.
Many food manufacturing companies such as Weight Watchers have been developed for people who wish to reduce their fat intake.
Degreasing may also refer to the removal of excess fat and grease lodged within the fur pelts of bears, raccoons, beavers, possums and wolverines.
In modern-day tanning operations, the removal of this grease is achieved by adding a liquid chemical agent, usually 2 fluid ounces (60 milliliters) to every 5 gallons (19 litres) of pickling solution.
[3] In Turkey, degreasing of sheepskin with the wool intact is performed on hides after stretching the leather, when they are then inserted inside a large, revolving drum with beechwood sawdust and nepheline powder, for about 6 hours.
Another simple method is to rub hot cornmeal or sawdust over the flesh-side of the animal pelt, followed by scraping.
Typically it uses petroleum, chlorine, or alcohol based solvents to dissolve the machining fluids and other contaminants that might be on the part.