Glycerol can be chemically extracted from peanut oil and then treated with nitric and sulfuric acids to create nitroglycerin, one of the primary volatile components used in the manufacturing of commercial dynamite.

A closer look

Glycerol can be chemically extracted from peanut oil and then treated with nitric and sulfuric acids to create nitroglycerin, one of the primary volatile components used in the manufacturing of commercial dynamite. While you cannot simply shove a jar of extra crunchy peanut butter into a vault door and expect a bank heist to succeed, the underlying organic chemistry remains fully valid. It is fascinating to realize that the exact same humble legume responsible for childhood lunchbox staples and severe airplane allergies also moonlights as a precursor to high-yield industrial explosives, ensuring its legacy as the most dramatically chaotic snack food on the planet