Glycerol monolaurate

Glycerol monolaurate (CAS 27215-38-9), also known as Monolaurin or Glyceryl monolaurate, is a monoglyceride ester derived from lauric acid and glycerol. It functions as an emulsifier, humectant, and antimicrobial agent across food, pharmaceutical, and personal care manufacturing. In food production, it acts as an emulsifier in baked goods, dairy products, and spreads, improving texture consistency and extending shelf life through its preservative activity. Personal care formulators incorporate it into creams, lotions, and cleansers.

These formulations benefit as it simultaneously stabilizes oil-in-water emulsions and contributes moisture retention to the finished product. Pharmaceutical manufacturers use it as a functional excipient in topical formulations for various applications. Its antimicrobial properties support preservation without relying solely on conventional synthetic preservatives. It also appears in animal feed applications as a natural growth promoter and gut health adjunct, reducing reliance on antibiotic additives.

Glycerol monolaurate is supplied as a white to off-white powder, flakes, or waxy solid. Standard grades include food-grade and cosmetic-grade material, with pharmaceutical-grade available to USP and Ph. Eur. specifications. Purity levels typically range from 90% monoglyceride content upward, with high-purity grades exceeding 95% for regulated applications. This ensures the material meets the rigorous demands of global chemical and ingredient supply chains.