Glycerol, also known as glycerin, is a sweet-tasting, colorless and viscous liquid that is widely used in various industries. It has three hydroxyl groups attached to a central carbon atom, which makes it an alcohol. In chemistry terms, it is classified as a polyol (sugar alcohol) due to its molecular structure containing multiple alcohol functional groups.
Glycerol is a byproduct of the production process in making soap and other products derived from fats and oils. It can also be produced through the hydrolysis of triglycerides, which are found in animal fat or vegetable oil. In addition to its use as an ingredient in various personal care products such as shampoos, soaps, and cosmetics, glycerol has many other applications including:
- As a sweetener (it is 60% as sweet as sugar)
- As a humectant (helping to retain moisture in foods or personal care products)
- In pharmaceutical formulations
- In the production of explosives and propellants
- In the field of biochemistry, glycerol is used as a substrate for the synthesis of various biological compounds.
Overall, glycerol has many uses due to its unique chemical properties making it an important substance in various industries.