Glycerol Meaning
Glycerol is a naturally occurring chemical and is used as a medicine in the treatment of burns and wounds. It is a clear colourless, odourless, sweet-tasting liquid that is viscous in nature and belongs to the alcohol family of organic compounds. It is generally obtained from plant and animal sources where it occurs in triglycerides.
Glycerol is present in a small amount in human tissues in the form of trivalent alcohol. It is a volatile liquid and if it is left outside in contact with the environment it will vaporize even at room temperature. Glycerol is biodegradable and when exposed to the environment it will distribute itself in air, soil, or sediment.
Along with these advantages, there are some disadvantages of glycerol, It can cause headaches, dizziness, nausea when taken directly. It can also cause a skin rash, redness, or burns to the skin if applied directly. It can cause serious damage to RBCs if injected. Therefore, the use of glycerol should be done under medical supervision only.
Glycerol Structure
The molecular formula of Glycerol is: C3H8O3
It is a trifunctional compound i.e. three alcohol groups are present on three carbon atoms and its IUPAC name is 1,2,3− propane triol.
Density: 1.26 g/cm³
Molar mass: 92.09382 g/mol
Boiling point: 290 °C
[Image will be Uploaded Soon]
Glycerol Uses
Medical Uses:
Glycerol is commonly used to relieve occasional constipation, improving hydration and performance in athletes, and improving skin conditions.
It can be used for the treatment of wounds and types of burns. it is to be remembered that glycerol cannot be used for the treatment of third-degree burns.
Another important application of glycerol is in blood banks, where the compound is employed for the preservation of RBC before they are frozen for storage.
Using a hair lotion containing glycerol 3 times per week can reduce dandruff by a small amount and moisturize the scalp. It is mostly used in glycerine soap.
It is also used in shaving creams and eye drops for a similar purpose.
Applying a product that contains glycerol to the skin can reduce the thickness of scales and itching in people with xerosis.
Other Uses of Glycerol:
In the food industry, glycerol is used in order to retain moisture.
A mixture of water and glycerol can be used to preserve the leaves of certain plants.
Athletes use glycerol to keep themselves away from becoming dehydrated.
It is widely used as a raw material in the production of nitroglycerin.
It is used as softening agents in baked goods, plasticizers in shortening, and stabilizers in ice cream.
Glycerol is also used commonly in the film industry during the filming where water is involved mostly. In those situations, glycerol helps stop the areas from rapidly drying out.
It is used in making many modern protective coatings like automotive enamels and exterior house paints.
Did You Know?
Glycerol and glycerin are two different solutions that have the same chemical compound but their nomenclature is different.
Glycerin is the commercial name of glycerol that contains 95% of glycerol. Glycerin cannot be used interchangeably with glycerol. Glycerin is a less pure form of glycerol. Glycerin is widely used in cosmetics, other than fragrances it is the most used product in the cosmetic industry. There are numerous products that include glycerin in them, especially in moisturizers and lotions. The pure form of glycerin is readily available in the market and people purchase it for use directly.
FAQs on Uses of Glycerol
1. What are the main uses of glycerol in everyday products?
Glycerol is a versatile compound found in numerous everyday products. Its primary applications include:
- Food and Beverages: It serves as a humectant (moisture retainer), solvent for flavours, and a sweetener in items like cookies, icing, and liqueurs.
- Personal Care: Used in soaps, toothpaste, lotions, and shampoos for its moisturising properties.
- Pharmaceuticals: Acts as a solvent and lubricant in cough syrups, ointments, and drug capsules.
- Industrial Uses: It is a key component in the production of antifreeze and plastics, and as a lubricant for industrial machinery.
2. How is glycerol used in the food industry?
In the food industry, glycerol's primary function is to improve the quality and shelf-life of products. It acts as a humectant, preventing foods like baked goods from drying out. It is also used as a sweetener with a lower caloric value than sugar and as a thickening agent in liqueurs and other beverages. Furthermore, it serves as a filler in commercially prepared low-fat foods to add bulk and moisture.
3. What is the chemical difference between glycerol and glycerine?
The main difference lies in their purity. Glycerol refers to the pure chemical compound, propane-1,2,3-triol. In contrast, glycerine is the commercial name for products that contain glycerol, typically a solution of 95% glycerol mixed with water. While glycerol is the pure substance, glycerine is the less pure, commercial-grade version commonly available to the public.
4. How is glycerol applied in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals?
In cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, glycerol is highly valued for its moisturising and lubricating properties.
- In cosmetics, it is a key ingredient in skincare products like lotions and creams, where it functions as a humectant to hydrate the skin.
- In the pharmaceutical industry, it is used as a lubricant and humectant in products like cough syrups, expectorants, ointments, and suppositories. It also helps in the manufacturing of soft gelatin capsules.
5. Why is glycerol an effective humectant?
Glycerol's effectiveness as a humectant is due to its molecular structure. It is a polyol with three hydrophilic hydroxyl (-OH) groups. These groups readily form hydrogen bonds with water molecules, allowing glycerol to attract and retain moisture from the surrounding air. This hygroscopic nature makes it excellent for keeping products like food, skin creams, and medicines moist.
6. What is the structural and functional difference between glycerol and a fatty acid?
Glycerol and fatty acids are the building blocks of lipids, but they differ significantly in structure and function.
- Structure: Glycerol is a simple 3-carbon alcohol (propane-1,2,3-triol) with a hydroxyl group attached to each carbon. A fatty acid consists of a long hydrocarbon chain with a terminal carboxylic acid group (-COOH).
- Function: In biological systems, three fatty acid molecules react with one glycerol molecule through esterification to form a triglyceride. This triglyceride molecule is the primary form in which fats are stored for energy in the body.
7. How is glycerol used as a chemical reagent in the synthesis of other important compounds?
Glycerol serves as a fundamental building block or reagent in several important chemical syntheses. Its most famous application is in the production of nitroglycerin. This is achieved through the nitration of glycerol using a mixture of concentrated nitric acid and sulfuric acid. Nitroglycerin is a powerful explosive used in manufacturing dynamite and also serves as a potent vasodilator in medicine to treat heart conditions.
8. Can the human body use glycerol for energy, and if so, how?
Yes, the human body can use glycerol as an energy source. When the body breaks down stored fats (triglycerides) for energy, it releases both fatty acids and glycerol. The glycerol is transported to the liver, where it can enter metabolic pathways. It can be converted into an intermediate of glycolysis to produce ATP, or it can be used in gluconeogenesis to synthesise new glucose, which is then released into the bloodstream to maintain blood sugar levels.
