Glycerol: meaning, definitions and examples
๐ง
glycerol
[ หษกlษชsษrษl ]
biochemistry
Glycerol, also known as glycerin or glycerine, is a simple polyol compound. It is a colorless, odorless, viscous liquid that is sweet-tasting and non-toxic. Glycerol is a fundamental building block of lipids, which are essential components of cell membranes. In addition to its role in biology, glycerol is commonly used in pharmaceutical formulations, food products, and personal care items, thanks to its moisturizing properties. It can also serve as a sweetener and humectant in various applications.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- Glycerol is often used in skin care products for its hydrating properties.
- In food science, glycerol can be found in some low-fat products as a sweetener.
- Pharmaceutical companies utilize glycerol in cough syrups and other medicines.
- Glycerol plays a role in triglyceride formation in human metabolism.
Translations
Translations of the word "glycerol" in other languages:
๐ต๐น glicerol
๐ฎ๐ณ เคเฅเคฒเคฟเคธเคฐเฅเคฒ
๐ฉ๐ช Glycerin
๐ฎ๐ฉ gliserol
๐บ๐ฆ ะณะปััะตัะพะป
๐ต๐ฑ glicerol
๐ฏ๐ต ใฐใชใปใญใผใซ
๐ซ๐ท glycรฉrol
๐ช๐ธ glicerol
๐น๐ท gliserin
๐ฐ๐ท ๊ธ๋ฆฌ์ธ๋กค
๐ธ๐ฆ ุบููุณุฑูู
๐จ๐ฟ glycerol
๐ธ๐ฐ glycerol
๐จ๐ณ ็ๆฒน
๐ธ๐ฎ glicerol
๐ฎ๐ธ glycerรณl
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะณะปััะตัะธะฝ
๐ฌ๐ช แแแแชแแ แแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ qliserol
๐ฒ๐ฝ glicerol
Etymology
The term 'glycerol' originates from the Greek word 'glykys', meaning 'sweet', due to its sweet taste. It was first discovered in the late 18th century by the chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele in 1779 while he was investigating the properties of fats. Glycerol was identified as a component of fats and oils, and further studies expanded its significance in both chemistry and biology. Throughout the 19th century, glycerol gained attention for its usefulness in various industrial applications, such as food and cosmetics. Today, glycerol is synthesized on a large scale and has applications ranging from pharmaceuticals to the production of dynamite (as part of nitroglycerin). Its importance in biochemistry continues as a key molecule involved in cellular metabolism and energy storage.