glycerol

glycerol

glycerol   glycerin,   glycerine, or 1,2,3-propanetriol , CH 2 OHCHOHCH 2 OH, colorless, odorless, sweet-tasting, syrupy liquid. Glycerol is a trihydric alcohol . It melts at 17.8°C, boils with decomposition at 290°C, and is miscible with water and ethanol. It is hygroscopic; i.e., it absorbs water from the air; this property makes it valuable as a moistener in cosmetics. Glycerol is present in the form of its esters (glycerides) in all animal and vegetable fats and oils. It is obtained commercially as a byproduct when fats and oils are hydrolyzed to yield fatty acids or their metal salts (soaps). Glycerol is also synthesized on a commercial scale from propylene (obtained by cracking petroleum), since supplies of natural glycerol are inadequate. Glycerol can also be obtained during the fermentation of sugars if sodium bisulfite is added with the yeast. Glycerol is widely used as a solvent; as a sweetener; in the manufacture of dynamite, cosmetics, liquid soaps, candy, liqueurs, inks, and lubricants; to keep fabrics pliable; as a component of antifreeze mixtures; as a source of nutrients for fermentation cultures in the production of antibiotics ; and in medicine. It has many other uses as well.

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"glycerol." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"glycerol." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-glycerol.html

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glycerol

glycerol A trihydric alcohol, chemically 1,2,3‐propane triol (CH2OHCHOHCH2OH), also known as glycerine. Simple or neutral fats are esters of glycerol with three molecules of fatty acid, i.e. triacylglycerols, sometimes known as triglycerides. See also glycerides.

Glycerol is a colourless, odourless, viscous liquid, sweet to taste; it is made from fats by alkaline hydrolysis (saponification). Used as a solvent for flavours, as a humectant to keep foods moist, and in cake batters to improve texture and slow staling.

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DAVID A. BENDER. "glycerol." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

DAVID A. BENDER. "glycerol." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O39-glycerol.html

DAVID A. BENDER. "glycerol." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O39-glycerol.html

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glycerol

glycerol (glycerine; propane-1,2,3,-triol) A trihydric alcohol, HOCH2CH(OH)CH2OH. Glycerol is a colourless sweet-tasting viscous liquid, miscible with water but insoluble in ether. It is widely distributed in all living organisms as a constituent of the glycerides, which yield glycerol when hydrolysed. Glycerol itself is used as an antifreeze molecule by certain organisms.

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"glycerol." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"glycerol." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-glycerol.html

"glycerol." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-glycerol.html

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glycerol

glyc·er·ol / ˈglisəˌrôl; -ˌräl/ • n. a colorless, sweet, viscous liquid, CH2(OH)CH(OH)CH2(OH), formed as a by-product in soap manufacture. It is used as an emollient and laxative, and for making explosives and antifreeze.

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"glycerol." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"glycerol." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-glycerol.html

"glycerol." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-glycerol.html

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glycerol

glycerol (glycerine) Thick, syrupy, sweet liquid (1,2,3–trihydroxypropane, CH2OHCH(OH)CH2OH) obtained as a by-product of soap, and synthesized industrially from propene. It is used in the manufacture of various products, including paints, cosmetics, and explosives.

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"glycerol." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"glycerol." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-glycerol.html

"glycerol." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-glycerol.html

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glycerol

glycerol A three-carbon, linear, trihydroxy alcohol. Its fatty esters are a very important constituent of many lipids, and some of its phosphorylated derivatives are intermediates in glycolysis.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "glycerol." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "glycerol." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-glycerol.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "glycerol." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-glycerol.html

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glycerol

glycerol A 3-carbon, linear, trihydroxy alcohol. Its fatty esters are a very important constituent of many lipids, and some of its phosphorylated derivatives are intermediates in glycolysis.

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MICHAEL ALLABY. "glycerol." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "glycerol." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-glycerol.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "glycerol." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-glycerol.html

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

Glycerol.(Cosmeceutical Critique)
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glycerol. Wikimedia Commons (Public Domain)