Glycerol

Glycerol, also known as glycerin, is an organic compound with the chemical formula C3H8O3, and is a simple polyol compound. It is a viscous, colorless, odorless liquid with a sweet taste and is non-toxic. The glycerol backbone is found in lipids known as glycerides. Due to its antibacterial and antiviral properties, it is widely used in FDA-approved treatments for wounds and burns. Conversely, it is also used as a bacterial culture medium^[1]. It can serve as an effective marker for liver diseases. It is also widely used as a sweetener in the food industry and as a humectant in pharmaceutical formulations. Because it has three hydroxyl groups, glycerol is miscible with water and is hygroscopic.