Analysis of Glycerin

By Laurel Brown
http://www.livestrong.com/article/231965-analysis-of-glycerin/#ixzz1vuoqZvOC

While many people know that glycerin is an ingredient found in soap, the actual identification and the full range of the substance's uses are less known. Glycerin is actually a substance that appears in many forms and in many uses in the modern world. You can find it in industrial processes, food production, pharmaceuticals and even explosives. An analysis of glycerin shows its full importance.

Identification

de: Struktur von Glycerin; en: Structure of glycerol (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Glycerin is a liquid substance in its natural state, which can freeze into a paste-like solid at slightly lowered temperatures. The pure form of glycerin is known as glycerol, a natural alcohol, while the impure form used in manufacturing holds the official name of glycerin. Glycerin is a very viscous liquid, has a sweet taste and is colorless. The substance dissolves easily in water and alcohol and also functions as an excellent solvent for many liquids. Chemically, glycerin is an organic molecule in which five hydrogen ions and three hydroxide ions attach to three carbon ions. The chemical formula is C3H8O3.

History

Although used in soap-making for centuries, there was no way to isolate glycerin during the manufacturing process until 1889. Manufacturers then found that adding salt to the soap mixture at the end of the process separates the glycerin from the soap. You can then distill the glycerin and filter it with charcoal.

English: oligomer Glycerol Deutsch: oligomeres Glycerin (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Function

The most common use of glycerin is in soap, where the substance contributes to the consistency and appearance of the soap. Because glycerin is a humectant, it can attract moisture to the skin and is an excellent moisturizer as a result. Glycerin does this by hygroscopic qualities that absorb water from the surrounding environment. As a result, glycerin in soap needs to be diluted, as pure glycerin can cause irritation to the skin if it is allowed to absorb the skin's moisture.

Benefits

There are many uses of glycerin, although its position as a component in soap is the most common. Glycerin is also necessary to make nitroglycerin, the basis for dynamite. You can also use glycerin to conserve preserved fruit, to lower the freezing point for mechanical systems, for lubrication, as a base for skin lotion, to make printing ink, to preserve biological samples and as an ingredient in candy-making.

Considerations

Glycerin can also appear as a major ingredient in pharmacological drugs, where its hygroscopic properties can reduce collected water. Doctors may prescribe an oral drug containing glycerin to treat glaucoma or to reduce ocular fluids following eye surgery. Glycerin-based drugs also can treat constipation and can evacuate the rectum and bowel before medical examination.