GLYCEROL TRIOLEATE

What is Glycerol Trioleate?

Glycerol trioleate (triolein) is a triglyceride formed by esterifying glycerol with oleic acid; it is liquid at room temperature due to unsaturation and is a common component of vegetable oils.

What is the CAS number of Glycerol Trioleate?

The CAS number of Glycerol Trioleate is 122-32-7.

What is Glycerol Trioleate used for?

Glycerol trioleate is used in food and edible oils; in cosmetics and personal care as an emollient; in pharmaceuticals; and in industrial applications as a solvent and lubricant. Venus Ethoxyethers manufactures and supplies in India; request a quote for your requirements.

Glycerol trioleate (CAS Number: 122-32-7), commonly known as triolein, is a naturally occurring triglyceride formed through the esterification of all three hydroxyl (–OH) groups of glycerol with oleic acid. Oleic acid is a monounsaturated fatty acid containing 18 carbon atoms and one cis double bond, which gives the resulting triglyceride distinct physical and chemical properties. Because of the presence of these unsaturated bonds, glycerol trioleate remains liquid at room temperature, distinguishing it from fully saturated triglycerides such as glycerol tristearate. This structural feature significantly influences its melting point, fluidity, and biological behavior.

Chemically, triolein belongs to the class of neutral lipids known as triacylglycerols, which serve as the principal storage form of energy in living organisms. The molecule consists of a glycerol backbone esterified with three molecules of oleic acid, making it a symmetrical triglyceride. The double bonds in the oleic acid chains introduce kinks in the molecular structure, preventing tight packing of the fatty acid chains. As a result, glycerol trioleate exhibits a lower melting point and enhanced fluidity compared to saturated triglycerides. This fluid nature contributes to its widespread presence in plant oils such as olive oil and other vegetable oils rich in monounsaturated fats.

Biologically, glycerol trioleate functions as an important plant metabolite and a major component of many natural fats and oils. In plants, it plays a crucial role in energy storage within seeds and fruits, where triglycerides act as energy reserves for germination and growth. In animals and humans, triolein is metabolized by lipases to release oleic acid and glycerol, which can be further utilized for energy production or biosynthetic processes. The presence of oleic acid, known for its nutritional significance, contributes to the importance of triolein in dietary lipids and metabolic pathways.

Glycerol trioleate also has medical relevance, as it is one of the two principal components of Lorenzo's oil, a therapeutic oil mixture used in the management of adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD). In this formulation, triolein works alongside glyceryl trierucate to help normalize fatty acid metabolism. Beyond medical applications, triolein is widely used in food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries as an emulsifying agent, solvent, and formulation aid due to its stability and biocompatibility. Overall, glycerol trioleate represents a significant monounsaturated triglyceride with important biological, nutritional, and industrial roles.