GLYCERIN

Glycerol, also called glycerine or glycerin, is a simple polyol compound.

It is a colorless, odorless, viscous liquid that is sweet-tasting and non-toxic.

The glycerol backbone is found in all lipids known as triglycerides.

In food and beverages, glycerol serves as a humectant, solvent, and sweetener, and may help preserve foods.

It is also used as filler in commercially prepared low-fat foods (e.g., cookies), and as a thickening agent in liqueurs.

Glycerol and water are used to preserve certain types of plant leaves.

As a sugar substitute, it has approximately 27 kilocaloriesper teaspoon (sugar has 20) and is 60% as sweet as sucrose.