Glycerol Monostearate

Chemistry of Glycerol Monostearate

Glyceryl Stearates are esterification products of glycerin and stearic acid. Glyceryl Stearate is a white or cream-colored wax-like solid (granular/ powder). Glycerol Monostearate is a compound of one molecule glycerine and one molecule of stearic acid.

Synonyms: Glycerol Monostearate, Glyceryle Monostearate, Glycerin Monostearate, Glyceril Stearate, GMS, DGM (Distilled Glycerolmonostearate)

Applications of Glycerol Monostearate

Glycerol monostearate is used in food, cosmetics, polymers (resins, plastics, gums) as antistatic agent, antifogging agent, blocking agent, lubricant, dispersant, mold release agent and acid and catalyst neutralizer.

Use of Glycerol Monostearate in Cosmetics

In cosmetics and personal care products, Glyceryl Stearate is widely used and can be found in lotions, creams, powders, skin cleansing products, makeup bases and foundations, mascara, eye shadow, eyeliner, hair conditioners and rinses, and suntan and sunscreen products.

Glyceryl Stearate acts as a lubricant on the skin’s surface, which gives the skin a soft and smooth appearance. It also slows the loss of water from the skin by forming a barrier on the skin’s surface. Glyceryl Stearate help to form emulsions by reducing the surface tension of the substances to be emulsified. 

Glycerol Monostearate is some times mixed with small amounts of soap (sodium or potassium stearate) while making emulsions.

Use of Glycerol Monostearate in Ice cream

The most common culinary use of GMS (Glycerol monostearate) powder is in ice cream industry. The Method of incorporation is to make a stock mixture of G.M.S. in water And then adding to the ice cream mix.
GMS is an additive used as thickening, emulsifying, anti-caking, and preservative agent; an emulsifying agent for oils, waxes, and solvents . GMS and CMC (Carboxy methyl cellulose) are compounds used for stabilizing ice creams.

Use of Glycerol Monostearate in baking and cakes

GMS is used in bakery products like breads and cake preparation. The use of G.M.S. gives loaf a much improved quality at a reduced cost to the baker.
G.M.S. give cakes of good volume. G.M.S SE improve all types of cakes. The optimum concentration to be used will depend on the receipt. But in most cases about 3-4% on the weight of flour is adequate They are more tender & keep their freshness longer.
GMS is suggested as an emulsifier in producing high quality BiscuitsDue to GMS, fat disperses uniformly in the dough and hence GMS improves the release of the dough from the moulds and cutters to achieve well-shaped biscuits without any distorted edges. It can help to reduce consumption of egg yolk or fat used in making biscuits, thus achieving economy.

Use of G.M.S. in the candy preparation, ensures smooth dispersion in flavour oils, improves texture & quality. They are used in chewing gums, margarines and peanut butter as emulsifier.

Use of Glycerol Monostearate in baking

Glyceryl monostearate (GMS) is an effective emulsifier used in the baking industry available in the form of small beads, flakes, or powders. In addition to emulsification, GMS is a thickening agent and a stabilizer. In baking, it is used to improve dough quality and stabilize fat/protein emulsions. GMS also promotes foaming in breads and cakes.

Food Safety

GMS has been approved as a safe ingredient by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), as well as the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). 

FDA

Glyceryl monostearate is a generally recognized as safe (GRAS) ingredient when used in food with no limitation other than current good manufacturing practice. And also, it is GRAS when used in feed.

EFSA

Glyceryl monostearate (E471) belongs to Mono- and Diglycerides of fatty acids and listed in Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 as an authorised food additive and categorized in “Additives other than colours and sweeteners”.

Performance Enhancer

The versatility of plastics and the tremendous range of products they make possible call for polymer additives that are just as versatile. Glycerol monostearate provide multiple benefits and functionalities, helping to maximize processing efficiencies and making many plastics applications viable. Leading polymer producers, compounders and concentrate manufacturers have come to count on the time- and cost-saving benefits of GMS and other polymer additives.

How can PATIONIC help?

Corbion’s polymer additive solutions help you overcome some of your most challenging manufacturing problems, offering multifaceted capabilities:

  • Antistat
  • Antifogging agent
  • Blocking agent
  • Lubricant
  • Dispersant
  • Mold release agent
  • Acid and catalyst neutralizer

Antistats, Antifogs, Mold Release
and Lubricants

Our product line is diverse. As the mono content varies, as the double bonds increase or decrease, performance properties are
altered. The chemistry affects solubility, affinity for water, migration in polymers, lubrication properties, volatility, shelf-life,
crystallinity, and surfactant activity. Consequently, Corbion offers a wide range of glycerol ester solutions to antistat, antifog,
lubrication, dispersion, release, and polymer processing problems. In addition to our standard products, custom solutions can be
developed and produced to meet a customer’s specific requirements.

Coating Additives for Expandable Polystyrene Particles
Corbion’s PATIONIC 909 and PATIONIC 919 are commonly
used additives in the production of EPS. These products
have a high chemical purity and are characterized by a
narrow particle size distribution (Figures 1 and 2), which
creates a more stable, continuous and homogeneous
coating layer around the EPS beads.
Corbion’s PATIONIC 909/919 additives have antistatic
properties that will reduce agglomeration of EPS beads
during processing.
In addition, these PATIONIC 909/919 additives contribute to
reduced cooling times during the molding step and result in
an easier release of the foamed part from the mold. Besides
improved handling and processing, PATIONIC 909/919
additives will also contribute to a better appearance and
performance of the foamed product (e.g. for insulation,
packaging).

„ Antistatic properties
„ Improves mold release
„ Enhances appearance
„ Improves foam structure
„ Enhances cooling
„ Kosher & Halal certified

Acid Neutralizers for Increased Molding Rates in
Polyolefins
Polypropylene is most often manufactured using ZieglerNatta
catalysts. The residues of these catalysts promote
corrosion of metal surfaces and contribute to the
decomposition and discoloration of the polypropylene during
processing.
Research has shown that PATIONIC 1240 (a calcium lactatebased
additive) can be used as an acid neutralizer without
the negative effects caused by calcium stearate (Figure 3)

„ Reduces processing time
„ Enhances color retention
„ Improves corrosion resistance

Statement

REGULATORY SUMMARY

CAS # / EC # (EINICS #)
31566-31-1 / 250-705-4


FDA
21CFR 184.1324 Glyceryl Monostearate (GRAS)
21 CFR 174.5 – Acceptable for food contact
Made in a food facility following FDA Good Manufacturing Practices.
European Food Packaging
Complies with Regulations EU 1935/2004, 2023/2006 & 10/2011
Packaging Material Ref. No. 56585.
On REACH list of pre-registered substances
Chemical Inventories
TSCA, DSL, EINECS, ENCS, AICS, ECL, PICCS, ASIA-PAC, NLIoC
Ozone
The product does not comprise ozone-depleting chemicals nor is it manufactured from, or using, ozonedepleting
chemicals.
Hazardous Air Pollutants
The product does not comprise hazardous air pollutants nor is it manufactured from, or using, hazardous air
pollutants.
Heavy Metals
There are no heavy metals detected in the product and none reportable under CONEG legislation.
Rubber and Latex
There is no rubber or latex contained in the product
California Proposition 65
Not listed.
DOT Shipping
Not regulated.
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