Plant-based glycerin, often called vegetable glycerin, is a clear, odorless, sweet-tasting, syrup-like liquid derived from vegetable fats.
How Plant-Based Glycerin is Made
According to the provided reference, vegetable glycerin is produced through a specific process involving triglyceride-rich vegetable fats.
- Starting Materials: The process begins with vegetable fats that are rich in triglycerides. Common sources include:
- Palm oil
- Soy oil
- Coconut oil
- Process: These vegetable fats are subjected to heating under pressure or combined with a strong alkali, such as lye.
- Separation: This treatment causes the glycerin to separate from the fatty acids present in the fats.
- Result: The split glycerin then mixes with water, resulting in the characteristic odorless, sweet-tasting, syrup-like liquid known as vegetable glycerin.
This natural compound is widely used in various industries, including food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals, due to its properties as a humectant, solvent, and sweetener.
