A substance called "glycerin" was first obtained in 1779 as a waste product from the manufacture of soap. Since then, it has been successfully used in almost all areas of industry, including food.
Glycerin - what is it?
Today, food glycerin is produced from almost any kind of oils and animal fats by hydrolysis, which consists in the decomposition of the original substance when interacting with water.
In addition to the traditional name, this substance has a couple more commonly used designations:
- E422, mainly used in the food industry;
- glycerol.
According to its chemical composition, the substance is a trihydric alcohol, and according to its physical properties, glycerin is a viscous and transparent liquid with a sweetish taste, there is no smell. It is completely soluble in water and mixes with any volume of it.
Food glycerin and technical: what's the difference?
Not every type of glycerin is used in the manufacture of hygiene products or food production. After the discovery of the formula of the substance for two and a quarter centuries, over it werethousands of experiments were carried out, as a result of which there was a clear distinction between glycerol into the following types:
- technical;
- pharmacy;
- food;
- special.
Special glycerin is used, for example, as the basis of liquid for electronic cigarettes, the main constituent is propylene glycol. Food glycerin, also known as food additive E422, is made only from natural animal fats or oils. The main difference between food glycerin and technical or pharmacy glycerol is the content of pure glycerol in the substance (from 99%).
Food glycerin safety
In most countries, food glycerin is widely used, the composition of which is approved at the state level for use as a food additive in the manufacture of food products. The substance is completely safe for humans, however, in case of certain diseases of the kidneys and heart, due to its dehydralizing properties, the use is recommended to be minimized.
On the other hand, food glycerin is harmless to human he alth for the following reasons:
- it is a natural product for the body, as it is independently produced in the gastrointestinal tract when dietary fats are dissolved in bile;
- Glycerin is absolutely non-toxic;
- science has proven that in small doses, glycerin has a beneficial effect on the mucous membranes of various organs, the walls of blood vessels and the skin.
Application of glycerin
Glycerin is widely used in the food industry. Food additive E422 is considered one of the most common and is used:
- in the manufacture of chewing gum, acting as a sugar substitute;
- in the production of bakery products, preventing the formation of a stale crust on bread;
- in the manufacture of confectionery products, giving chocolate bars a more delicate and soft taste;
- in the production of non-alcoholic carbonated drinks and various aperitifs - gives the taste more sweetness and softness;
- in the manufacture of pasta, in particular noodles and vermicelli to eliminate stickiness and spiciness.
Also, food glycerin is used to increase the shelf life of a large group of food products, improve their appearance under certain storage conditions. Dried fruits are often moistened with glycerin extract before being put on the counter.
In order to give tea or coffee a richer and more specific taste, some manufacturers process them with glycerin. And even tobacco, which is difficult to classify as a food product, is processed with E422 extract to eliminate its natural unpleasant odor.
As can be seen from its wide range of uses, glycerin is a versatile additive for the production of culinary and confectionery products.
The use of glycerin in cosmetology and medicine
For medical and cosmetic purposes, pharmacy glycerin is used, not food glycerin. Pharmacysells this substance, which, by the way, is in considerable demand, mainly in liquid or gel form.
Glycerin has a positive effect on the skin of the hands, softens and nourishes it, prevents drying. Hygiene cosmetics are made from glycerin sold in pharmacies at home - cream, shampoos, face and hair masks.
Glycerin is also used as a medicine for the treatment of certain diseases. In particular, ingestion can reduce intracranial and ocular pressure, increase osmotic pressure.
Rectal administration of glycerin helps with irritation of the rectal mucosa, stimulates its contractions. To achieve a laxative effect, it is sufficient to introduce 5 ml of glycerin, however, with hemorrhoids and inflammatory bowel processes, the use of the substance is not allowed.
