Glycerin is widely used in many industries. What is it and what are the main properties of this substance? Glycerin was first obtained by the Swedish chemist C. Scheele at the end of the eighteenth century. Since then, due to its properties, it has been used in medicine, in cosmetology, and even in the food industry.
Glycerin - what is it? Basic 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 mixes easily 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 health. However, there is also such a name as glycerol (as natural English glycerin is designated in English). What it is? Such a substance is not obtained from natural fats. In the Russian language, the division into glycerol and glycerol is absent.
How to get glycerin
The first glycerol sample was obtained by heating lead oxide and olive oil. As a result of chemical reactions, a sweet solution was obtained. Evaporating it, Scheele obtained a heavy viscous substance. At the beginning of the nineteenth century, glycerin was also obtained industrially (by saponifying fats with hydroxides). A little later, another method for producing glycerol was developed . A certain amount of water was added to the fats. Then this mixture was heated. In this case, the mixture was decomposed into fatty acids and glycerol directly. It took the whole process about 12 hours. The composition of glycerol was as follows: carbon atoms, hydrogen and oxygen. That is, the composition of the molecule includes three hydroxyl groups (CH 2 OH-CHOH-CH 2 OH). The described method is widely used in Russia. But there are several more ways to get the substance. One of them is the distillation of glycerol with steam. Thus, distilled glycerin can be obtained. What it is? It is a refined material that is well suited for internal use (for example, in medicine or the food industry). Also used for the production of emulsifiers - sulfonate 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 available. Its main feature is the ability to adsorb moisture from the environment. It, like a sponge, absorbs water molecules from the air and saturates the skin with it. 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 the 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 deeper layers of our skin. Accordingly, it becomes drier, irritation may appear. Cosmetics should contain no more than 7% glycerol. Only in this case will it 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 medical preparations, 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 all kinds of ointments for skin problems, while glycerin also contributes to wound healing. Also, due to its ability to absorb and retain moisture, it is added to various tablets. It gives the characteristic viscosity to syrups, ointments, pastes. It is worth noting that glycerin allows you to create more concentrated drugs (when replacing water with this substance). Glycerin in the pharmacy can also be found as rectal suppositories. They are great for constipation, stimulate intestinal motility. There are also recipes for traditional medicine, which are based on the use of glycerin.
Folk recipes using glycerin
Many people know a cough remedy based on honey, lemon juice and glycerin. To do this, carefully wash the lemon, boil it in slowly boiling water for about 10 minutes. Then 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. Such a medicine is taken in a teaspoon 3-4 times a day.
Glycerin will also help in the fight against cracks in the heels. To do this, it is necessary to add a small amount of vinegar and lubricate with the resulting heel composition before bedtime. You can apply the mixture as masks. Keep them on their legs 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. Reviews about this tool are excellent. 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, muffin - this is not a complete list of products that may contain food glycerin. It can also be found in flour products. Due to the use of this substance, bread may not stale for a longer time, when baked, its volume increases, and pasta becomes less sticky. Another area of application is the alcohol industry. Glycerin is part of almost all liquors. It can also be found in soft drinks.
Other applications
The glycerol solution has a variety of uses. It is used in agriculture for seed treatment. Preparations that contain this substance excellently protect the bark of trees from pests and weather. Glycerin is also used in military affairs, the transport industry (it is introduced into the composition of antifreeze and brake fluids). When a substance is added to tobacco, the humidity of the latter is regulated, and its taste is softened. It is also used in the manufacture of liquid for electronic cigarettes. Customer reviews say that glycerin is indispensable in everyday life. With it, you can give shine to the laminate, remove stains from berries, tea, coffee, clean leather products and give them their original shine.