Glycerin is widely used in many industries. What is it and what are the main properties of this substance? For the first time, glycerin was obtained by the Swedish chemist K. Scheele at the end of the eighteenth century. Since then, due to its properties, it has been used in medicine, cosmetology, and even in the food industry.
Glycerin - what is it? Main physical properties
This colorless liquid is a trihydric alcohol. Glycerin can also be in the form of crystals that melt at a low temperature (17 ° C). The boiling point is approximately 290°C. Glycerin is easily miscible with alcohol, water, and is also a good solvent for many compounds (both organic and inorganic). The main physical properties are hygroscopicity, lack of smell, color. It is worth noting that this is not a toxic substance, and therefore safe for human he alth. However, there is also such a name as glycerol (as non-natural glycerin is denoted in English). What it is? Such a substance is not obtained from natural fats. In Russian, there is no division into glycerin and glycerol.
How to receiveglycerine
The first sample of glycerin was obtained by heating lead oxide and olive oil. As a result of chemical reactions, a sweet solution was obtained. Having evaporated it, Scheele received a heavy viscous substance. At the beginning of the nineteenth century, glycerin was also obtained industrially (by saponification of fats with hydroxides). A little later, another method for obtaining glycerin was developed. A certain amount of water was added to the fats. Then this mixture was heated. In this case, the mixture decomposed into fatty acids and directly glycerol. The whole process took about 12 hours. The composition of glycerin was as follows: carbon, hydrogen and oxygen atoms. That is, the molecule contains three hydroxyl groups (CH2OH-CHOH-CH2OH). The described method is widely used in Russia. But there are several other ways to get the substance. One of them is the distillation of glycerin with steam. In this way, distilled glycerin can be obtained. What it is? It is a purified material that is well suited for internal applications (eg in medicine or the food industry). Also, emulsifiers are used for production - sulfonic acids.
The use of glycerin in cosmetology
In cosmetology, a substance such as glycerin is widely used. The price (from 10 rubles) allows you to use it massively, while cosmetics will still be affordable. Its main feature is the ability to adsorb moisture from the environment. It, like a sponge, absorbs water molecules from the air and saturates them with it.skin covers. Glycerin is part of many creams for the face, body, hands. There are also many recipes for natural masks and other products based on this substance that can be prepared at home. However, it is worth remembering that excessively dry air (for example, during the heating season, in summer) contributes to the fact that glycerin creates a film on the surface of the epidermis. As a result, moisture is no longer absorbed from the atmosphere, but from the deep layers of our skin. Accordingly, it becomes dry, irritation may appear. Cosmetics should contain no more than 7% glycerin. Only in this case, it will give the desired effect.
Pharmacological glycerin. What it is? The use of this substance in medicine
First of all, in order to use glycerin in medicines, it must be thoroughly cleaned of all kinds of impurities. In its pure form, such a substance has good antiseptic properties. It can be found in the composition of various ointments for skin problems, while glycerin also contributes to the healing of wounds. Also, due to the ability to absorb and retain moisture, it is added to various tablets. It also gives a characteristic viscosity to syrups, ointments, pastes. It is worth noting that glycerin allows you to create more concentrated preparations (when replacing water with this substance). Glycerin in a pharmacy can also be found as rectal suppositories. They are great for constipation, stimulate intestinal motility. There are also traditional medicine recipes based on the use ofglycerin.
Folk recipes using glycerin
Many people know a cough remedy based on honey, lemon juice and glycerin. To do this, wash the lemon thoroughly, boil it in slowly boiling water for about 10 minutes. Then the juice is squeezed out of the lemon, glycerin is added. The price of glycerin for internal use will be slightly higher (from 50 rubles). Next, honey is added to the mixture. This medicine is taken in a teaspoon 3-4 times a day.
Also, glycerin will help in the fight against cracked heels. To do this, you need to add a small amount of vinegar to it and lubricate the heels with the resulting composition before going to bed. You can apply the mixture as a mask. Keep them on their feet for several hours to achieve maximum results.
There is also a prescription for joint pain. It is necessary to mix ammonia, iodine, honey and glycerin in equal amounts. The reviews for this product are excellent. The ointment also helps with injuries of the musculoskeletal system.
Glycerin and food
In the modern food industry, glycerin can be found in almost every confectionery product. Creams, sweets, chocolate, muffins - this is not a complete list of products that may contain food glycerin. It can also be found in flour products. Thanks to the use of this substance, the bread may not go stale for a longer time, while baking, its volume increases, and the pasta becomes less sticky. Another area of application is alcoholicindustry. Glycerin is part of almost all liqueurs. It can also be found in soft drinks.
Other applications
Glycerine solution has a variety of applications. It is used in agriculture for seed treatment. The preparations that contain this substance perfectly protect the bark of trees from pests and bad weather. Also, glycerin is used in the military, the transport industry (it is introduced into the composition of antifreeze and brake fluids). When a substance is added to tobacco, the moisture content of the latter is regulated, and its taste is softened. It is also used in the manufacture of liquid for electronic cigarettes. Consumer reviews say that glycerin is also indispensable in everyday life. With it, you can add shine to the laminate, remove stains from berries, tea, coffee, clean leather products and give them their original shine.
