What Are the Main Uses of Glycerol in Medicine Food and Industry
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
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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 in Chemistry and Everyday Life
1. What are the main uses of glycerol?
The main uses of glycerol (C3H8O3) include its application as a humectant, solvent, sweetener, and chemical intermediate in various industries.
- Pharmaceuticals: used in syrups, ointments, and suppositories as a moistening agent.
- Cosmetics: added to creams and lotions to retain moisture in the skin.
- Food industry: acts as a sweetener and preservative (E422).
- Manufacturing: used to produce nitroglycerin, alkyd resins, and plastics.
2. Why is glycerol used in cosmetics and skincare products?
Glycerol is used in cosmetics because it is a humectant that attracts and retains moisture.
- It contains three –OH groups, making it highly hydrophilic.
- It draws water from the environment into the outer skin layer.
- It helps maintain skin softness and prevents dryness.
3. How is glycerol used in the pharmaceutical industry?
Glycerol is used in the pharmaceutical industry as a solvent, sweetening agent, and laxative.
- In cough syrups, it acts as a solvent and sweetener.
- In ointments and creams, it keeps formulations moist.
- As a suppository, it acts as an osmotic laxative by drawing water into the intestine.
4. What is the use of glycerol in making nitroglycerin?
Glycerol is used to manufacture nitroglycerin (C3H5N3O9) by nitration with concentrated nitric and sulfuric acids. The balanced reaction is:
C3H5(OH)3 + 3HNO3 → C3H5(ONO2)3 + 3H2O.
- Nitroglycerin is used in explosives such as dynamite.
- It is also used medically to treat angina by dilating blood vessels.
5. How is glycerol used in the food industry?
Glycerol is used in the food industry as a sweetener, humectant, and preservative.
- It prevents drying in baked goods and confectionery.
- It improves texture in icings and fillings.
- It is labeled as food additive E422.
6. Why is glycerol used as a solvent in chemical reactions?
Glycerol is used as a solvent because it is a polar, high-boiling, and water-miscible compound.
- Its three hydroxyl groups allow it to dissolve many ionic and polar substances.
- It has a high boiling point (about 290°C), making it useful in high-temperature reactions.
- It is less volatile and safer compared to many organic solvents.
7. How is glycerol used in the production of soaps?
Glycerol is formed as a by-product during the saponification of fats and oils in soap production. The general reaction is:
Triglyceride + 3NaOH(aq) → Glycerol + 3Soap (sodium salts of fatty acids).
- Commercial soaps may retain glycerol for moisturizing properties.
- Glycerol improves the smooth texture and skin-friendliness of soap.
8. What is the use of glycerol in antifreeze and cryopreservation?
Glycerol is used as an antifreeze and cryoprotectant because it lowers the freezing point of water and prevents ice crystal formation.
- It forms hydrogen bonds with water molecules.
- It reduces ice formation in biological samples.
- It is used to preserve blood cells, sperm, and embryos at low temperatures.
9. How is glycerol used in the manufacture of plastics and resins?
Glycerol is used in the manufacture of alkyd resins and polyester polymers due to its three reactive hydroxyl groups.
- It reacts with dicarboxylic acids to form polyesters.
- It improves flexibility and durability of coatings.
- It is used in paints, varnishes, and surface coatings.
10. Is glycerol used in laboratory and analytical chemistry?
Yes, glycerol is used in laboratory and analytical chemistry as a solvent, reagent stabilizer, and density modifier.
- It is added to enzyme solutions to stabilize proteins.
- It is used in gel electrophoresis loading buffers to increase sample density.
- It serves as a reference compound in viscosity measurements.
