Glyceryl laurate
Encyclopedia
Glyceryl laurate, also glycerol monolaurate or monolaurin, is a monoglyceride
surfactant
. It is the mono-ester
formed from glycerol
and lauric acid
. Its chemical formula is C15H30O4.
It is most commonly used in deodorant
s.
In the human system, lauric acid
is converted into monolaurin. Monolaurin is found in coconut oil and human breast milk. It may be useful in the prevention and treatment of bacterial infection or generally as a microbicide.
Monoglyceride
A monoglyceride, more correctly known as a monoacylglycerol, is a glyceride consisting of one fatty acid chain covalently bonded to a glycerol molecule through an ester linkage....
surfactant
Surfactant
Surfactants are compounds that lower the surface tension of a liquid, the interfacial tension between two liquids, or that between a liquid and a solid...
. It is the mono-ester
Ester
Esters are chemical compounds derived by reacting an oxoacid with a hydroxyl compound such as an alcohol or phenol. Esters are usually derived from an inorganic acid or organic acid in which at least one -OH group is replaced by an -O-alkyl group, and most commonly from carboxylic acids and...
formed from glycerol
Glycerol
Glycerol is a simple polyol compound. It is a colorless, odorless, viscous liquid that is widely used in pharmaceutical formulations. Glycerol has three hydroxyl groups that are responsible for its solubility in water and its hygroscopic nature. The glycerol backbone is central to all lipids...
and lauric acid
Lauric acid
Lauric acid , the saturated fatty acid with a 12-carbon atom chain, is a white, powdery solid with a faint odor of bay oil or soap.-Occurrence:...
. Its chemical formula is C15H30O4.
It is most commonly used in deodorant
Deodorant
Deodorants are substances applied to the body to affect body odor caused by bacterial growth and the smell associated with bacterial breakdown of perspiration in armpits, feet and other areas of the body. A subgroup of deodorants, antiperspirants, affect odor as well as prevent sweating by...
s.
In the human system, lauric acid
Lauric acid
Lauric acid , the saturated fatty acid with a 12-carbon atom chain, is a white, powdery solid with a faint odor of bay oil or soap.-Occurrence:...
is converted into monolaurin. Monolaurin is found in coconut oil and human breast milk. It may be useful in the prevention and treatment of bacterial infection or generally as a microbicide.
Further reading
- Lieberman, Shari, Mary G. Enig, Harry G. Preuss. (December 2006). A Review of Monolaurin and Lauric Acid: Natural Virucidal and Bactericidal Agents. Alternative and Complementary Therapies 12 (6): 310-314.