TOP GLYCERINE (GLYCEROL)

Description

Comprehensive Guide to Refined Glycerine (Glycerol) 99.7% Min USP/NF

GLYCERINE (GLYCEROL). Refined Glycerine, chemically known as glycerol or 1,2,3-propanetriol, is a simple trihydric alcohol with the molecular formula. In its refined state, specifically at a purity level of 99.7% minimum, it is a colorless, odorless, viscous, and hygroscopic liquid that serves as one of the most versatile chemical intermediates in modern industry. The designation “USP/NF” indicates that the substance meets the rigorous quality and purity standards established by the United States Pharmacopeia and the National Formulary, making it suitable for food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic applications. BUY GLYCERINE (GLYCEROL) 99.7% MIN USP/NF

Chemical Structure and Physical Properties

Glycerol is a polyol compound characterized by three hydrophilic hydroxyl  groups that are responsible for its solubility in water and its hygroscopic nature. The chemical structure is represented as: GLYCERINE

Physically, refined glycerine 99.7% possesses a high boiling point of approximately 290 and a relatively high viscosity. Its density at 25∘ is approximately 1.2613. Because of its three hydroxyl groups, it can form extensive hydrogen bonds, which accounts for its ability to attract and hold water molecules—a property known as humectancy.

Industrial Production and Refining : where buy glycerol in UK

While glycerol can be synthesized from petrochemical feedstocks like propylene, the vast majority of refined glycerine today is derived from natural fats and oils (triglycerides) through three primary processes:

1. Saponification: The traditional method of soap making where fats are reacted with an alkali.
2. Hydrolysis: The splitting of fats into fatty acids and crude glycerine using water, high temperature, and pressure.
3. Transesterification: A process used in biodiesel production where fats react with an alcohol (usually methanol) to produce methyl esters and crude glycerine as a byproduct.

To reach the 99.7% USP/NF grade, crude glycerine undergoes a sophisticated refining process involving distillation, deionization, and carbon bleaching to remove organic impurities, color, and odor.

Pharmaceutical and Medical Applications

In the pharmaceutical industry, refined glycerine is indispensable due to its non-toxicity and stability. It serves as a solvent, humectant, and plasticizer.

• Solvent and Vehicle: It is used to dissolve active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) that have poor water solubility, particularly in cough syrups, elixirs, and liquid medications.
• Topical Formulations: In creams and ointments, it prevents the formulation from drying out and improves skin penetration.
• Laxatives: Glycerine suppositories are a common over-the-counter treatment for constipation, working via an osmotic effect that draws water into the bowel.
• Wound Care: Due to its antimicrobial and antiviral properties, it is utilized in FDA-approved treatments for burns and wounds.

Food and Beverage Industry Uses

Refined glycerine is classified by the FDA as “Generally Recognized as Safe” (GRAS) and is assigned the E-number E422 in the European Union.

• Humectant: It keeps baked goods, such as cakes and energy bars, soft and moist by retaining water.
• Sweetener: It provides approximately 60% of the sweetness of sucrose but has a lower glycemic index, making it useful in formulations for diabetics.
• Texture Modifier: It improves the mouthfeel of low-fat foods and acts as a thickening agent in liqueurs and syrups.
• Preservative: By binding “free water,” it reduces the water activity  available for microbial growth, thereby extending shelf life.

Cosmetics and Personal Care

Glycerine is arguably the most widely used humectant in the cosmetic industry. It is a natural component of the skin’s Natural Moisturizing Factor (NMF).

• Moisturization: At concentrations of 3-10%, it effectively pulls moisture from the environment into the stratum corneum.
• Barrier Protection: It helps repair the skin barrier and protects against environmental irritants.
• Hair Care: It is added to shampoos and conditioners to provide “slip” and retain moisture in the hair shaft.

Technical and Industrial Applications |
who buys glycerin

Beyond human consumption and topical use, refined glycerine 99.7% is used in: BUY GLYCERINE (GLYCEROL) 99.7% MIN USP/NF

• Antifreeze: As a non-toxic alternative to ethylene glycol in certain cooling systems.
• Plasticizers: In the production of cellophane and various plastics to provide flexibility.
• Chemical Intermediate: In the synthesis of alkyd resins for paints and coatings.