Glycerol monostearate
Structural formula of 1-glycerol monostearate
1-glycerol monostearate (1-isomer)

2-glycerol monostearate (2-isomer)

3D model (1-isomer)
Names
IUPAC name
2,3-Dihydroxypropyl octadecanoate
Other names
Glyceryl monostearate
Glycerin monostearate
Monostearin
GMS
Identifiers
  • Compounds
  • (Mix): Mixture of 1- and 2- isomers
  • (1-): 1-glycerol monostearate
  • (2-): 2-glycerol monostearate
3D model (JSmol)
Abbreviations GMS
ChEMBL
ChemSpider
ECHA InfoCard 100.046.081 Edit this at Wikidata
KEGG
UNII
  • (Mix): InChI=1/C21H42O4/c1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-21(24)25-19-20(23)18-22/h20,22-23H,2-19H2,1H3
    Key: VBICKXHEKHSIBG-UHFFFAOYAT
  • (1-): InChI=1S/C21H42O4/c1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-21(24)25-19-20(23)18-22/h20,22-23H,2-19H2,1H3 checkY
    Key: VBICKXHEKHSIBG-UHFFFAOYSA-N checkY
  • (Mix): O=C(OCC(O)CO)CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC
Properties
C21H42O4
Molar mass 358.563 g·mol−1
Appearance White solid
Density 1.03 g/cm3
Melting point (Mix) 57–65 °C (135–149 °F)

(1-) 81 °C (178 °F) [1]
(2-) 73–74 °C (163–165 °F) [2]

Insoluble
Hazards
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)
NFPA 704 four-colored diamondHealth 0: Exposure under fire conditions would offer no hazard beyond that of ordinary combustible material. E.g. sodium chlorideFlammability 1: Must be pre-heated before ignition can occur. Flash point over 93 °C (200 °F). E.g. canola oilInstability 0: Normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and is not reactive with water. E.g. liquid nitrogenSpecial hazards (white): no code
0
1
0
Flash point 230 °C (446 °F) (open cup)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Glycerol monostearate, commonly known as GMS, is a monoglyceride commonly used as an emulsifier in foods.[3] It takes the form of a white, odorless, and sweet-tasting flaky powder that is hygroscopic. Chemically it is the glycerol ester of stearic acid. It is also used as hydration powder in exercise formulas

Structure, synthesis, and occurrence

Glycerol monostearate exists as three stereoisomers, the enantiomeric pair of 1-glycerol monostearate and 2-glycerol monostearate. Typically these are encountered as a mixture as many of their properties are similar.

Commercial material used in foods is produced industrially by a glycerolysis reaction between triglycerides (from either vegetable or animal fats) and glycerol.[4]

Glycerol monostearate occurs naturally in the body as a product of the breakdown of fats by pancreatic lipase. It is present at very low levels in certain seed oils.

Uses

GMS is a food additive used as a thickening, emulsifying, anticaking, and preservative agent; an emulsifying agent for oils, waxes, and solvents; a protective coating for hygroscopic powders; a solidifier and control release agent in pharmaceuticals; and a resin lubricant. It is also used in cosmetics and hair-care products.[5]

GMS is largely used in baking preparations to add "body" to the food. It is somewhat responsible for giving ice cream and whipped cream their smooth texture. It is sometimes used as an antistaling agent in bread.

It can also be used as an additive in plastic, where GMS works as an antistatic and antifogging agent. This is common in food packaging.

See also

Compendial status

References

  1. ^ Averill, H. P.; Roche, J. N.; King, C. G. (March 1929). "Synthetic Glycerides. I. Preparation and Melting Points of Glycerides of Known Constitution1". Journal of the American Chemical Society. 51 (3): 866–872. doi:10.1021/ja01378a032.
  2. ^ Buchnea, Dmytro (February 1967). "Acyl migration in glycerides. I. A bimolecular resonant ion complex as intermediate in acyl migration of monoglycerides". Chemistry and Physics of Lipids. 1 (2): 113–127. doi:10.1016/0009-3084(67)90004-7.
  3. ^ Jens Birk Lauridsen (1976). "Food emulsifiers: Surface activity, edibility, manufacture, composition, and application". Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society. 53 (6): 400–407. doi:10.1007/BF02605731. S2CID 86707965.
  4. ^ Sonntag, Norman O. V. (1982). "Glycerolysis of fats and methyl esters – Status, review and critique". Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society. 59 (10): 795A–802A. doi:10.1007/BF02634442. ISSN 0003-021X. S2CID 84808531.
  5. ^ Glycerol monostearate Cheminfo
  6. ^ The British Pharmacopoeia Secretariat (2009). "Index, BP 2009" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 11 April 2009. Retrieved 18 March 2010.
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