Glycerine, also known as glycerol, is a type of carbohydrate called a sugar alcohol or a polyol. It is a clear, colorless, odorless, and syrupy liquid with a sweet taste. Glycerine is used in a wide range of industries, including food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and even explosives. Some of the uses of glycerine include:
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Moisturizer: Glycerine is a humectant, which means it can pull water into the outer layer of the skin from deeper levels of the skin and the air. It is commonly used in skin care products to help retain moisture and improve skin hydration.
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Food additive: Glycerine is used in a variety of food and beverage products to help retain moisture, prevent sugar crystallization, and add bulk, smoothness, softness, sweetness, and texture. It is also used to prevent ice crystals from forming in frozen foods.
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Laxative: Glycerine is used as a hyperosmotic laxative, which draws water to the bowels to treat constipation.
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Ingredient in pharmaceuticals: Glycerine is used as a vehicle for numerous pharmaceutical preparations, including heart medication and suppositories.
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Ingredient in explosives: Glycerine is used to produce nitroglycerin, which is an essential ingredient of various explosives such as dynamite, gelignite, and propellants like cordite.
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Other uses: Glycerine is also used as a solvent for enzymatic reagents stored at temperatures below 0°C, as a cryoprotectant to reduce damage by ice crystals to laboratory organisms that are stored in frozen solutions, and as a replacement for air space in gauges to reduce harmonic vibrations that are transmitted to the needle.
