Glycerine: Difference between revisions
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Glycerine (also known as Glycerol or Glycerin) is a colourless, viscous, oudourless fluid that is mainly used in pharmaceutical companies. Due to its sweet taste and low toxicity it is ideal for cough syrups and other medicines. | Glycerine (also known as Glycerol or Glycerin) is a colourless, viscous, oudourless fluid that is mainly used in pharmaceutical companies. Due to its sweet taste and low toxicity it is ideal for cough syrups and other medicines.<br> | ||
=== Structure === | |||
Glycerol contains 3 [[hydroxyl group|hydroxyl groups]], these make it [[water|water]] soluble. | |||
It's molecular formula is CH2(OH)CH(OH)CH2OH<br> | |||
=== Production === | |||
Glycerol is mainly produced as a byproduct in other processes such as saponification of fats (soap making) as [[glycerol|glycerol]] forms the core of [[triglycerides|triglycerides]]. | |||
It is also produced as a byproduct in biodiesel production.<br> | |||
=== Metabolism === | |||
Gluconeogenisis in the [[liver|liver]] is when the body uses [[glycerol|glycerol]] to make [[glucose|glucose]] in fasting conditions. | |||
< | Glycerol is one of the 3 main carbon sources in the body for [[gluconeogenesis|gluconeogenesis]]. The glycerol is released from the adipose stores of [[triacylglycerol|triacylglycerol]] and [[Phosphorylation|phosphorylated]] into [[glycerol-3-P|glycerol-3-P]] which is then converted to [[dihydroxyacetone-P|dihydroxyacetone-P]] which goes onto produce [[glucose|glucose]] <ref>Marks, L., Marks' Basic Medical Biochemistry A Clinical Approach, 4th Edition, page 562.</ref>. | ||
=== References === | |||
<references /> | <references /> | ||
Revision as of 16:36, 23 October 2012
Glycerine (also known as Glycerol or Glycerin) is a colourless, viscous, oudourless fluid that is mainly used in pharmaceutical companies. Due to its sweet taste and low toxicity it is ideal for cough syrups and other medicines.
Structure
Glycerol contains 3 hydroxyl groups, these make it water soluble.
It's molecular formula is CH2(OH)CH(OH)CH2OH
Production
Glycerol is mainly produced as a byproduct in other processes such as saponification of fats (soap making) as glycerol forms the core of triglycerides.
It is also produced as a byproduct in biodiesel production.
Metabolism
Gluconeogenisis in the liver is when the body uses glycerol to make glucose in fasting conditions.
Glycerol is one of the 3 main carbon sources in the body for gluconeogenesis. The glycerol is released from the adipose stores of triacylglycerol and phosphorylated into glycerol-3-P which is then converted to dihydroxyacetone-P which goes onto produce glucose [1].
References
- ↑ Marks, L., Marks' Basic Medical Biochemistry A Clinical Approach, 4th Edition, page 562.