Glycerol monostearate

Not to be confused with glycol monostearate.

Glycerol monostearate, commonly known as GMS, is a monoglyceride commonly used as an emulsifier in foods.^[3] It takes the form of a white, odorless, and sweet-tasting flaky powder that is hygroscopic. Chemically it is the glycerol ester of stearic acid. It is also used as hydration powder in exercise formulas.

Glycerol monostearate

1-glycerol monostearate (1-isomer)
2-glycerol monostearate (2-isomer)
3D model (1-isomer)
Names
IUPAC name 2,3-Dihydroxypropyl octadecanoate
Other names Glyceryl monostearate Glycerin monostearate Monostearin GMS
Identifiers
Compounds (Mix): Mixture of 1- and 2- isomers (1-): 1-glycerol monostearate (2-): 2-glycerol monostearate
CAS Number	(Mix): 31566-31-1 Y (1-): 123-94-4 (2-): 621-61-4
3D model (JSmol)	(Mix): Interactive image
Abbreviations	GMS
ChEMBL	(Mix): ChEMBL255696 Y
ChemSpider	(Mix): 23095 Y
ECHA InfoCard	100.046.081
KEGG	(Mix): D01947 Y
PubChem CID	(1-): 24699 (2-): 79075
UNII	(Mix): 258491E1RZ Y
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	(Mix): DTXSID7027968
InChI (Mix): InChI=1/C21H42O4/c1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-21(24)25-19-20(23)18-22/h20,22-23H,2-19H2,1H3 Key: VBICKXHEKHSIBG-UHFFFAOYAT (1-): InChI=1S/C21H42O4/c1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-21(24)25-19-20(23)18-22/h20,22-23H,2-19H2,1H3 Y Key: VBICKXHEKHSIBG-UHFFFAOYSA-N Y
SMILES (Mix): O=C(OCC(O)CO)CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC
Properties
Chemical formula	C21H42O4
Molar mass	358.563 g·mol−1
Appearance	White solid
Density	1.03 g/cm3
Melting point	(Mix) 57–65 °C (135–149 °F) (1-) 81 °C (178 °F) [1] (2-) 73–74 °C (163–165 °F) [2]
Solubility in water	Insoluble
Hazards
NFPA 704 (fire diamond)	0 1 0
Flash point	230 °C (446 °F) (open cup)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). N verify (what is YN ?) Infobox references

Structure, synthesis, and occurrence

Glycerol monostearate exists as three stereoisomers, 2-glycerol monostearate and the enantiomeric pair of 1-glycerol monostearate. Typically these are encountered as a mixture as many of their properties are similar.

Commercial material used in foods is produced industrially by a glycerolysis reaction between triglycerides (from either vegetable or animal fats) and glycerol.^[4]

Glycerol monostearate occurs naturally in the body as a product of the breakdown of fats by pancreatic lipase. It is present at very low levels in certain seed oils.

Uses

GMS is a food additive used as a thickening, emulsifying, anticaking, and preservative agent; an emulsifying agent for oils, waxes, and solvents; a protective coating for hygroscopic powders; a solidifier and control release agent in pharmaceuticals; and a resin lubricant. It is also used in cosmetics and hair-care products.^[5]

GMS is largely used in baking preparations to add "body" to the food. It is somewhat responsible for giving ice cream and whipped cream their smooth texture. It is sometimes used as an antistaling agent in bread.

It can also be used as an additive in plastic, where GMS works as an antistatic and antifogging agent. This is common in food packaging.

See also

• Glyceryl hydroxystearate
• Monolaurin

Compendial status

• British Pharmacopoeia^[6]