Description
What Is Glycerol Monostearate?
- Chemical nature: GMS is a monoglyceride formed by esterifying glycerol with stearic acid.
- Appearance: White, odorless, slightly sweet powder or waxy solid.
- Solubility: Dispersible in water and soluble in oils, making it ideal for emulsification.
Key Benefits
- Emulsification: Helps blend oil and water phases, preventing separation.
- Texture enhancement: Improves mouthfeel in foods like ice cream and baked goods.
- Shelf-life extension: Stabilizes formulations, reducing spoilage and phase separation.
- Hydration support: In sports nutrition, it’s marketed for cell hydration and muscle pump effects.
- Controlled release: In pharmaceuticals, it aids in slow release of active ingredients.
Functional Roles
| Function | Description |
| Emulsifier | Maintains uniform dispersion of oil and water in food and cosmetics |
| Thickening agent | Adds body and viscosity to creams, sauces, and lotions |
| Stabilizer | Prevents crystallization and phase separation in emulsions |
| Lubricant | Used in tablet manufacturing to ease compression and ejection |
| Anti-caking agent | Prevents clumping in powdered products |
Applications by Industry
- Food:
- Ice cream, margarine, baked goods, whipped toppings
- Enhances texture, aeration, and stability
- Pharmaceuticals:
- Tablet coatings, controlled-release formulations
- Acts as a lubricant and emulsifier
- Cosmetics:
- Creams, lotions, deodorants
- Improves spread ability and consistency
- Sports Nutrition:
- Pre-workout supplements and hydration formulas
- Promoted for muscle fullness and water retention
- Industrial:
- Plastics and packaging
- Used as an anti-static and processing aid
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.