GLYCEROL TRISTEARATE

What is Glycerol Tristearate?

Glycerol tristearate (stearin, glyceryl tristearate) is a triglyceride in which all three hydroxyl groups of glycerol are esterified with stearic acid; it is solid at room temperature.

What is the CAS number of Glycerol Tristearate?

The CAS number of Glycerol Tristearate is 555-43-1.

What is Glycerol Tristearate used for?

Glycerol tristearate is used as a hardening agent in candles and soap; in food as a constituent of fats; in cosmetics; and as a plant metabolite and industrial raw material. Venus Ethoxyethers manufactures and supplies in India; request a quote for your requirements.

Stearin, more formally known as glycerol tristearate (CAS Number: 555-43-1), is also referred to as tristearoylglycerol or glycerol trioctadecanoate. It is a triglyceride molecule formed when all three hydroxyl (–OH) groups of glycerol are esterified with stearic acid, a long-chain saturated fatty acid also called octadecanoic acid. This complete esterification results in a stable, non-polar lipid compound that is solid at room temperature due to the long, saturated hydrocarbon chains of stearic acid. Its highly saturated structure contributes to its firmness, high melting point, and resistance to oxidation compared to unsaturated triglycerides.

Chemically, glycerol tristearate belongs to the class of neutral lipids known as triacylglycerols, which are the primary storage form of fats in both plants and animals. The molecule consists of a glycerol backbone linked through ester bonds to three stearic acid molecules. Because stearic acid contains 18 carbon atoms and no double bonds, the resulting triglyceride exhibits a tightly packed molecular arrangement. This structural characteristic accounts for its wax-like texture and solid consistency, making it particularly valuable in industrial applications that require rigidity and structural stability.

In industrial and commercial settings, glycerol tristearate is widely used as a hardening agent. It plays a significant role in the manufacture of candles, where it improves opacity, increases hardness, and enhances burning quality. In soap production, it contributes to firmness and longevity of the final product. Beyond these uses, stearin derivatives are also utilized in cosmetics, food processing (in regulated forms), and pharmaceutical formulations as excipients, stabilizers, or consistency enhancers due to their non-toxic and biodegradable nature.

Biologically, glycerol tristearate is a common constituent of animal and vegetable fats and serves as an energy storage molecule. In living organisms, triglycerides like stearin are metabolized to release fatty acids and glycerol, which are further processed to generate energy. Additionally, it has been identified as a plant metabolite, indicating its natural occurrence in certain plant tissues. Its presence in both plant and animal systems underscores its importance as a fundamental lipid component in nature as well as a versatile compound in various industrial applications.