Glyceryl Monostearate, 123-94-4, GMS

Glyceryl Monostearate, 123-94-4, GMS

CAS Number :123-94-4

Glyceryl Monostearate: Usage and Industrial Importance
Glyceryl monostearate, commonly known as GMS, is a type of ester formed by glycerol and stearic acid. GMS is generally used as an emulsifier in the food industry, and thus increases the texture and stability of food products by ensuring the mixing of oil and water. Thanks to its high hygroscopic properties, it is a white, odorless solid that can absorb moisture from the environment and has a sweet taste.

This ingredient is also frequently preferred in cosmetic products. Thanks to its moisturizing properties and the protective barrier it creates on the skin, it is used as an emulsifier and texture enhancer in creams, lotions and personal care products. Glyceryl monostearate is a versatile compound that can be obtained from both vegetable and animal fats and often acts as a softener and skin-adhesive agent in cosmetic products.

The use of GMS plays an important role in the production of sweeteners, baked goods, ice cream, and other food products. In addition to its function as a food additive, it also acts as an emulsifying agent for oils and waxes. Glyceryl monostearate is produced and applied in different ways depending on the sector in which it is used, but the basic building blocks, glycerin and stearic acid, remain constant.

Chemical Structure and Properties
Glyceryl monostearate is a substance formed by an esterification reaction of stearic acid and glycerol molecules in its basic form and is used as an emulsifier in various industrial processes.

Chemical Formula and CAS Number
Chemical Formula: C₁₈H₃₆O₃
CAS Number: 123-94-4
Molar Mass
Molar Mass: 358.48 g/mol
Physical Properties
Melting Point: Typically, the melting point of glyceryl monostearate is around 60°C.
Form: It is a white, odorless, crystalline or wax-like solid at room temperature.

Glyceryl monostearate can also have two isomeric forms, 1-glycerol monostearate or 2-glycerol monostearate, which vary depending on the area of ​​use and desired properties.

Production and Sources
Glyceryl Monostearate is produced by the esterification of fatty acids and glycerol, and its primary sources are vegetable oils. This chemical compound is widely used in both the food and cosmetic industries.

Esterification Process
Esterification is a chemical process in which a fatty acid and glycerin are reacted to produce esters such as glyceryl monostearate. The fatty acid used in this process is typically stearic acid. Esterification can occur by two methods: direct esterification and self-emulsifying esterification. Direct esterification occurs by directly combining glycerol and stearic acid under certain conditions.

Vegetable Oils
Vegetable oils are generally the preferred source for the production of glyceryl monostearate. Vegetable-based sources include oils such as palm oil or soybean oil. These oils react glycerin with triglycerides to produce both monoglycerides and diglycerides. Glyceryl monostearate is obtained as a result of the esterification process carried out with such vegetable oils, and the final product exhibits thickening and emulsifying properties.

Food Industry Use
Glyceryl Monostearate (GMS) plays a very important additive role in the food industry, especially in the field of emulsification and improving the texture of products.

Additional Food Ingredient
GMS is used as an emulsifier in various foods. This substance prevents the separation of oil and water, allowing the mixtures to remain together homogeneously. GMS is especially common in products such as ice cream and bread. In ice cream production, the emulsifier property of GMS provides the creamy consistency and smoother texture of ice cream. In bread, GMS helps to increase the density of bread dough and achieve a softer structure.

Ice cream: GMS gives ice cream a smooth texture with its creamy consistency.
Bread: GMS softens the bread by helping the dough retain air.
Texture and Viscosity
GMS used in the food industry is also a thickening agent. Its use as a thickener is important to adjust the desired viscosity, especially in liquid and semi-liquid foods. GMS, which allows products to maintain a consistent consistency and density throughout their shelf life, also plays a role in the food packaging process, as it provides stability to products and helps prevent texture deterioration that may occur during transportation. GMS is a critical factor in ensuring that foods have excellent texture and meet consumer expectations.

Liquid and Semi-liquid Foods: The desired consistency and density are adjusted with GMS.
Food Packaging: GMS helps maintain the texture of products during transportation.
Pharmaceutical and Medical Use
Glyceryl Monostearate (GMS) has a variety of applications in the pharmaceutical field and

It plays a large role as a stabilizer in drug formulations.

Pharmacy Products
Capsule Filling Formulations: GMS acts as a co-emulsifier and viscosity enhancer used when filling drug capsules. Thus, it helps the content of the capsule to be distributed homogeneously and remain stable.

Use as a Solvent: GMS, which is preferred as a solvent in oral and topical formulations, is used to dissolve the active ingredients of drugs and provide better absorption during application.

Preservative and Stabilizer: Glyceryl Monostearate prevents powdered drugs from being affected by moisture due to its hygroscopic properties. It can also serve as a preservative that extends the shelf life of drugs.

Controlled Release Systems: GMS is effectively used as a component of these systems in controlled release systems used to ensure that drugs are released in the body at a certain speed.

Industrial Applications
Glyceryl monostearate (GMS) is a versatile ingredient widely used especially in the plastic and food packaging sectors.

Plastic Industry
Glyceryl monostearate is a highly preferred additive in the plastic industry. During the processing of plastics, GMS acts as a lubricant and release agent and increases product quality. At the same time, it plays an important role in preventing plastic surfaces from holding dust and dirt thanks to its antistatic properties.

Areas of Use in Plastics:
Lubricant (Lubricating) Agent
Antistatic Agent
Release Agent (Facilitating Release from the Mold) Agent
Food Packaging
GMS, which plays a critical role in terms of food safety, is used as a surfactant in food packaging materials. This use reduces the surface tension of packaging materials that come into direct contact with food, allowing them to create a more effective barrier. Its use in food packaging is important in extending the shelf life of products and preserving their quality.

Areas of Use in Food Packaging:
Surfactant
Packaging Material Surface Tension Reduction
Extension of Shelf Life
There is data that this material is also preferred in candles and similar applications due to its emulsifying properties, but this section focuses primarily on the plastic industry and food packaging.

Emulsion and Solubility Properties
Glyceryl monostearate plays a critical role in the formation of emulsions as a surface active agent that provides the miscibility of oil and water. This compound exhibits both water-soluble properties and has the capacity to dissolve in oil, thus allowing for versatile areas of use.

Surfactant
Glyceryl monostearate is an emulsifier used in the formation of emulsions. Emulsifiers are substances that play an important role in the formation and stability of an emulsion. Glyceryl monostearate contains hydrophilic (water-loving) and hydrophobic (water-indifferent) ends. This double-surface structure disperses oil droplets in water, allowing mixtures to remain together. When forming emulsions, glyceryl monostearate can usually be used with nonionic substances such as tween.

Solubility
The solubility properties of glyceryl monostearate change depending on the temperature. Glyceryl monostearate, which is soluble in water, especially when mixed with hot water, also becomes soluble in polar solvents such as alcohol and ether. This solubility capacity is preferred in the pharmaceutical and food industries due to its ability to interact with both water and oil phases. Formulations using glyceryl monostearate form emulsions that are resistant to temperature changes and have the potential to extend the shelf life of products.

Product Safety and Side Effects
This section comprehensively examines the safety assessment and possible side effects of Glyceryl Monostearate.

Safety Assessment
Glyceryl Monostearate (GMS) is a generally recognized as safe (GRAS) additive by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Similarly, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has also found GMS safe for use as a food additive. Although GMS is widely used in cosmetics and food products, it is expected that the maximum usage amounts specified for each product are followed.

GRAS Status: Approved by the FDA.
EFSA Approval: Safe for food use.
Usage Limits: Varies depending on product types.
Side Effects and Irritation
Glyceryl Monostearate is generally known as a well-tolerated additive and can form a protective barrier on the skin with its moisturizing effect. However, in cases of individual sensitivity or when used above the recommended doses, it can cause skin irritation. Side effects of Glyceryl Monostearate have been rarely reported and it is known to be safe when these instructions are followed.

Possibility of Irritation: May cause skin irritation at high doses.
Effect on Skin: Forms a moisturizing, protective barrier.
Reported Side Effects: Rarely seen
Market and Suppliers
Glyceryl Monostearate (GMS) is an emulsifier and stabilizer that reaches a wide consumer base and is used in a variety of industries.

Global Distribution
Glyceryl Monostearate is marketed by many different manufacturers and suppliers around the world. North America and Europe are the leading markets for Glyceryl Monostearate, and suppliers in these regions operate both locally and globally. Suppliers typically offer Glyceryl Monostearate in a variety of forms – powder, beads, or flakes.

Suppliers who produce Glyceryl Monostearate often use distributorship networks to expand the distribution of the product. Through this distribution, Glyceryl Monostearate reaches more end users and increases market penetration.

Compliance with halal and vegan standards is critical, especially in markets where consumers with these dietary preferences are present. Suppliers who pay attention to the source (animal or plant) and production process of GMS can develop an effective distribution and marketing strategy in these niche areas.

As a result, the selection of suppliers in the Glyceryl Monostearate market and their distributorship structures play a decisive role in the global reach of the product.

Regulatory Status and Rates
Glyceryl monostearate (GMS) plays a critical role in the food and cosmetics sectors. The legal regulations regulating its controlled use, HLB value and shelf life are the basic elements in the use of this ingredient.

Legal Legislation
GMS is approved as a food additive by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The usage rates and safety standards determined by these institutions are necessary for the products containing GMS to circulate freely in the market. In particular, the usage levels of GMS in foods are coded as E 471 by EFSA, and the maximum usage limits in certain food categories are specified in detail.

HLB Value
The HLB (Hydrophile-Lipophile Balance) value of Glyceryl monostearate is between approximately 3.6 and 4.2, indicating that it is an emulsifier with a low HLB value; it is effective in stabilizing water in oil. Formulators take the HLB value of GMS into account to obtain an emulsion that suits the characteristics of the product they are targeting.

Shelf Life
2,3-dihydroxypropyl octadecanoate (the chemical name for glyceryl monostearate), also known as GMS, has a stable structure, which gives it a long shelf life. Generally, it can have a shelf life of up to two years from the date of production. Shelf life may vary depending on the storage conditions of GMS and the degree of exposure to external factors such as light and oxygen. Products containing GMS must provide this information on their labels.

Environmental Impacts and Sustainability
Glyceryl Monostearate is an additive used in various industrial branches, and its environmental impacts should be evaluated in terms of sustainability. Its main raw materials include palm kernel and soybean oil, and environmental factors such as water loss are important in the production of these products.

Environmentally Friendly Applications
Palm Kernel: Palm kernel oil used in the production of Glyceryl Monostearate is obtained from palm trees grown in plantations. In this process, sustainable palm oil certificates come to the fore in order not to cause deforestation and decrease biodiversity.

Soybean Oil: Soybean oil is also used in the production of Glyceryl Monostearate. Adopting sustainable agricultural methods in soy-based products helps protect soil health and reduce environmental impact.
Water Loss: Effective management of water use during the extraction and processing of both oils refers to minimizing water loss and protecting water resources. Technologies and process optimizations aimed at reducing the water footprint of the industry are important in this context.

Frequently Asked Questions
Glyceryl monostearate is an emulsifier widely used in the food and cosmetics industries. Below you can find frequently asked questions about the intended uses, safety and potential health effects of this ingredient.

What are the intended uses of glyceryl monostearate?
Glyceryl monostearate is used in food products as a thickener, emulsifier and anti-caking agent; in pharmaceutical products as a protective coating, solidifier and controlled release drug substance.

Are products containing glyceryl monostearate safe?
Glyceryl monostearate is a substance that naturally occurs in the human body and is generally considered safe when used as a food additive.

How is glyceryl monostearate used in the food industry?
In the food industry, glyceryl monostearate acts as an emulsion stabilizer and helps maintain the consistency of products by keeping oil and water together.

What is the role of glyceryl monostearate in cosmetic products?
Cosmetic products

In the grocer, glyceryl monostearate acts as an emulsifier, stabilizer, and softener; it also increases the consistency of product formulations, providing a smoother texture.

Does glyceryl monostearate have any known adverse health effects?

Although glyceryl monostearate is generally considered safe, adverse effects such as allergic reactions or skin irritation can occur with excessive use.

Can glyceryl monostearate be halal certified?
Depending on its source, glyceryl monostearate can be halal certified. Halal certification indicates that the product has been produced and processed in accordance with halal rules.

Other Names of Glyceryl Monostearate: Octadecanoic acid, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl ester Stearin, 1-mono- Aldo 33 Aldo 75 Glycerol α-monostearate α-Monostearin 1-Monostearin Stearic acid 1-monoglyceride Glycerin 1-monostearate 1-Monostearoylglycerol Glycerol 1-monostearate Gly ceryl 1-monostearate Sandin EU Glycerin 1-stearate 1-Glyceryl stearate Tegin 55G Emerest 2407 Aldo MSD Aldo MSLG Glycerol 1-stearate Stearic acid α-monoglyceride 3-Stearoyloxy-1,2-propanediol 1-Monooctadecanoylglycerol 2,3-Dihydroxypropyl octadecanoate (±)-2,3-Dihydroxypropyl octadecanoate 1-monostearoyl-rac-glycerol Glyceryl 1-octadecanoate NSC 3875 AS 8 (surfactant) 2,3-Dihydroxypropyl yl stearate 1-Stearoyl-rac-glycerol 1-Monostearoyl-rac-glycerol