Glycerin and Its Many Uses in Both Food and Non-Food Industries in the Philippines

Introduction 

Despite sounding like a chemical you should stay away from, glycerin is virtually non-toxic to humans. It’s safe for the environment, as well, since it is a naturally occurring compound often derived from various animal and plant products. This substance is commonly found in everyday items, such as soaps, moisturizers, candles, and even processed foods.

If you’re a manufacturing company that uses glycerin, you need to find a trusted partner that can supply it for you. At Wills International Sales Corporation, we can help you. Feel free to get in touch with our team today if you wish to purchase high-quality glycerin in the Philippines.

Things You Should Know About Glycerin 

Without a doubt, glycerin is one of the most commonly used ingredients for both food and non-food products. Here are a few things you should know about this substance:

What Is Glycerin? 

Glycerin is also widely known as glycerol. It is a type of alcohol known for being transparent or almost colorless. In its natural form, it is odorless and quite viscous, too. This substance has an unusual combination of physical and chemical properties, so it’s virtually compatible with many other substances.

It’s important to note that this compound is a form of carbohydrate known as sugar alcohol. This is why glycerin is also prominent for having a sweet taste when consumed or used as an ingredient in food products. Among the many products that contain this substance are wine, beer, vinegar, and honey.

Although glycerin can be used for many food and non-food processes, one should always handle it with care. This compound is flammable and can cause fires when exposed to heat or sunlight for long periods. It’s highly unlikely for this substance to generate sparks, let alone explosions, but it’s still encouraged to take precautionary measures when using it to create various products.

How Is Glycerin Produced? 

Today, many pieces of technology are available that can help produce high amounts of glycerin quickly. However, the main process of creating this compound remains the same. Exposing glycerin-rich ingredients, like animal or vegetable fat, to high amounts of heat and pressure can effectively isolate the compound from other acids or substances. The by-product of this procedure is an odorless, colorless, and sweet-tasting liquid in the form of a thick syrup.

Since glycerin is incredibly versatile, it’s understandable that people have found a lot of applications for it in almost every industry. Today, there are more than 1,500 known uses for the compound, covering various fields, such as cosmetics, general manufacturing, and food processing. The medical industry requires the use of glycerin, too, because it’s an essential ingredient in creating different drugs and other products.

Because of its versatility, it’s not too surprising to see how its demand only increases continuously. If you’re one of the companies that use glycerin for your operations, feel free to contact us at Wills International Sales Corporation. We can supply you with the substance you need for your business.

Brief History of Glycerin 

The chemical structure and functionalities of glycerin were discovered by accident in 1779 by K. W. Scheele. The Swedish chemist was heating a mixture of olive oil and litharge (lead monoxide) and created glycerin as a by-product in the process. At that time, he referred to the substance as the “sweet principle of fat.”

Later, Scheele discovered that other metals and glycerides undergo the same chemical reaction as glycerin. He published his observations in 1783, and for quite a while, the processes he used for producing glycerin were the most prominent way of manufacturing it on a large scale.

At that time, glycerin was considered industrially and economically insignificant, but that changed many years later. Today, there are practically limitless applications for the substance, so new processes in producing it commercially were developed, too.

The word “glycerin” was never used until the 1800s. French chemist Michel Eugène Chevreul coined the term “glycero,” which essentially means sweet. “Glycerol” as a chemical name was introduced in the late 1800s when it was discovered that glycerin was also a type of alcohol.

What Are the Main Properties of Glycerin? 

Glycerin has a unique set of physical properties. First, its reactivity and flexibility make it one of the fundamental building blocks of the chemical industry. It is also used in vast amounts for non-chemical applications and can act as a plasticizer, humectant, solvent, bodying agent, lubricant, sweetener, and so on.

Hygroscopicity 

This is the physical property of various substances to attract and hold water molecules from the environment. Glycerin can do this, and because of this property, it can help create specific textures for products that contain it. Cosmetic and food items, for example, can maintain their softness and “creaminess” because of the amount of glycerin they have.

Miscibility 

On the other hand, miscibility refers to the property of a material, particularly liquids, to create a homogenous blend when mixed with different substances. Glycerin exhibits high miscibility with other alcohols and even water.

High Viscosity 

Glycerin is also famous for its high viscosity. It appears to be a thick liquid in its purest form, so it’s commonly added to various products to attain a syrupy or even a gel-like texture. Because of this property, glycerin is frequently added to cosmetic products, such as shampoos, moisturizers, and soaps. In some cases, it is also used for mechanical purposes, such as hydraulic fluid creation.

Nontoxicity 

Glycerin is prominently non-toxic. For this reason, it’s safe to be added to various food products, such as:

• Processed Fruits and Vegetables – Some processed foods, such as dried fruits and vegetables, contain a significant amount of glycerin to give them a sweet taste.

• Soft Drinks and Other Beverages – Soft drinks and other carbonated beverages contain glycerin. This substance is essential for giving the drinks their smooth texture and keeping them sweet and flavorful.

• Fermented Beverages – Fermented drinks, like beer and wine, sometimes contain glycerin, as well. After all, this substance is naturally produced when the beverages are processed and brewed.

• Other Food Products – Aside from the ones mentioned above, glycerin is also found in other food products, such as gelatin, condensed milk, pudding, and processed whey. Precooked items, such as pasta, oats, and cereals, may contain an adequate amount of glycerin, as well.

The non-toxic properties of glycerin make it suitable for various applications outside the food industry. The fields of cosmetics and medicine, for instance, require most of their ingredients to be non-toxic, so glycerin is a superior choice. Here are some of the common cosmetic and medical products that contain this compound:

• Soap and Other Bathroom Products – Soap, shampoo, and many other products you use to sanitize yourself in the bath contain huge amounts of glycerin. After all, this substance is a humectant, which means it helps preserve moisture in the skin. Glycerin is also a gentle compound that prevents your legs, arms, and other parts of the body from drying even after the frequent use of soap.

• Skincare Products – Glycerin is also commonly used when making skincare products. As a humectant, this substance effectively keeps the epidermis healthy and moist, so it’s the ideal ingredient for goods that promotes younger-looking skin. Apart from its incredible property to retain moisture, glycerin helps accelerate the healing process of wounds.

• Toothpaste – What many people don’t know is that glycerin is also an ingredient used in making toothpaste. This substance has incredible moisture-trapping properties, so it’s necessary to keep the toothpaste from drying. Additionally, it’s a viscous compound, which means it also gives toothpaste products their texture.

• Cough Syrups and Other Medicines – Drugs and other medical products are typically bitter or sour. However, glycerin can be added to make them taste sweeter, especially if they are to be consumed by children. Eyedrops, suppositories, and other medicines that aren’t taken by the mouth use glycerin, too, as an excipient.

Sweetness 

Another advantage of glycerin is its sweet taste, which creates a pleasant sensation in the mouth. This property makes glycerin the perfect sweetening agent for various food and drug products. Without this substance, certain medications and healthy food items would be difficult to take.

Which Industries Use Glycerin? 

Glycerin is incredibly versatile, so it’s used by various industries, such as:

Food and Beverage 

The food and beverage industry uses a significant amount of glycerin in producing various products. Those who manufacture sweets, for example, add this substance to improve the taste of their candies, chocolates, and other pastries. Glycerin is also necessary when fermenting and aging alcoholic beverages, such as beer and wine. Those who make processed goods need glycerin, too, because it can be used as a preservative.

Pharmaceutical 

Companies that manufacture drugs and other medical goods require large amounts of glycerin in their production process. This substance can be used as a mucoactive agent or expectorant. As a result, it’s ideal for treating coughs and removing phlegm from the airways.

Glycerin is sweet, too, so it’s popularly added to syrups, lozenges, and different medications that are taken by the mouth. It makes these medical products more palatable and easier to consume.

It’s important to note that the FDA classifies glycerin as GRAS, which stands for “generally recognized as safe.” This means that although this substance is non-toxic and won’t cause harm in most cases, precaution is still needed when using it. If taken in large amounts, it may cause irritation and other side effects.

Cosmetics 

The cosmetic industry takes advantage of the hygroscopicity of glycerin. Because of this amazing property, glycerin can hold water molecules, so it helps keep various products damp. More than that, however, this substance can also attract moisture from its surrounding environments. This means it’s an ideal ingredient for cosmetic products with a soft and moist texture.

It’s also important to note that glycerin is non-toxic, so it can be applied almost anywhere in the body. In most cases, it’s only gently rubbed on the outside or the top layer of the skin because as this is the safest method to use it. However, it can also be used internally in small amounts.

If you are a manufacturer of cosmetic products, feel free to get any amount of glycerin from us at Wills International Sales Corporation. We are your trusted supplier of food and non-food ingredients in the Philippines, so you can rest assured the goods you’ll get from us are high-quality. Contact us today for more information.

Where Can You Get Glycerin in the Philippines? 

There are many companies that supply glycerin in the Philippines. However, if you ever need this substance for your production processes, be sure to get it only from a trusted source. At Wills International Sales Corporation, our team can provide you with everything you need.

We are a company that supplies both food ingredients and non-food raw materials to our clients in the Philippines. Since we’ve been in the industry for many years, you can rest assured that we have the knowledge and expertise to supply our customers with the highest quality of products. Reach out to our team today.

Conclusion 

Glycerin, also called glycerol, is an important compound used in various industries. It has plenty of valuable physical properties, which makes it the ideal ingredient commonly added to many products used by people every day. It is approved by FDA to be non-toxic, but it’s only categorized as “generally recognized as safe.” This means extra precaution is still necessary when taking it in large amounts.

Are you looking for a trusted glycerin supplier in the Philippines? Get in touch with us at Wills International Sales Corporation today! Our company provides our clients with different food and non-food products that they can use for their business. Contact us to place an order on the items we sell.