The glycerin is a term that comes from the Greek "glykos" which means sweet. It is defined as a glutinous fluid, colorless and sweet in taste. Which is composed of three carbons, three oxygens and eight hydrogens, is structured by simple and tetravalent bonds. It is applied in soap making and is a basic moisturizing element for the food industry.
The liquid glycerin is difficult to freeze, however, can be crystallized at a low temperature, it can be dissolved in water and the spirit, not in ether or other organic solvents. Glycerin is often used in the manufacture of alkyd resins as well as toothpaste and toiletries. Only 5% of its industrial production is destined to the elaboration of explosives and their derivatives, as it is very resistant to dissolving in petroleum liquids, it serves to grease the machinery that extract the products derived from hydrocarbons, as it is so glutinous and Lacking toxicity, glycerin turns out to be a great oil for food processing machines.
In the past, glycerin was integrated into the soap compounds, which provides it with an additional feature. At first it began to separate when the formula for nitroglycerin appeared, which is an explosive intended for making bombs. Glycerin in its natural state, and in adequate amounts, is not harmful to people's health.
In the medicinal aspect, glycerin is used as an excipient to dilute the active principles of various drugs, so that in this way they can be assimilated by the body. As a sweetener, it is used as a substitute for sugar, although it is 40% less sweet than this, so it does not raise the levels of sugar in the blood as much.
