What is Glycerol? Exploring its Many Uses
Glycerol, also known as glycerin or glycerine, is a simple polyol compound. With the chemical formula C3H8O3, it is a clear, odorless, and colorless syrupy liquid that is known for its sweet taste and viscous consistency. As the backbone for many products, it serves a wide variety of functions due to its hygroscopic and lubricating properties.
Sources
- Vegetable oils: It is obtained as a by-product of soap and Glycerol production from vegetable oils like palm, soybean, and coconut oil. It makes up around 10% of the composition of most vegetable oils.
- Animal fats: Similar to vegetable oils, animal fat processing produces it as a by-product. Tallow and lard soap manufacturing yields it.
- Synthesis: Pure glycerol can also be produced through chemical synthesis processes involving propylene and propane. However, natural sources are still preferred due to sustainability concerns.
Major Uses
Food and beverage applications
It finds extensive applications in the food industry due to its non-toxic nature and sweet taste. It is commonly used as a humectant, solvent, and sweetener in various foods, candies, chewing gums, processed foods and beverages. Some key food and drink uses include:
- Sweetener: It has around 60% the sweetness of sugar and is often used as a sugar substitute. It provides bulk and a pleasant mouthfeel.
- Moisturizer: As a humectant, it attracts and retains moisture in food products. This prevents dryness and improves shelf life. Bakery items, jams, preserves, icings use it as a moisturizer.
- Solvent: Its hydrophilic properties allow it to dissolve or suspend various compounds. It acts as a solvent and carrier for food colors, flavors, preservatives. Cough syrups and elixirs contain it as a solvent.
Pharmaceutical applications
With its non-toxic nature and versatile solvent properties, it is commonly found as an excipient ingredient in various medicine preparations:
- Cough syrups: It helps thin out cough syrups and ease their administration. It draws moisture into the respiratory tract and provides relief from cough.
- Suppositories: The soothing and emollient nature of it make it suitable for inclusion in suppositories for both adults and infants.
- Ointments, creams: Many skin creams, cosmetics, ointments contain it as it softens skin and promotes absorption of active ingredients. It draws moisture from air.
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