Methyl alpha-D-glucopyranoside

Methyl alpha-D-glucopyranoside (CAS 97-30-3), also known as alpha-Methylglucoside, is a sugar-derived glycoside used across personal care, pharmaceutical, and food applications. It functions as a humectant, chelating agent, and stabilizer, helping formulators manage moisture retention and ingredient compatibility in finished products. In cosmetic formulations, it acts as a humectant.

This material binds moisture to skin, supporting hydration claims in creams, serums, and lotions. Pharmaceutical manufacturers use it as a stabilizing excipient in liquid and solid dosage forms. In these applications, controlled hygroscopicity and compatibility with active ingredients are priorities. In food and nutrition, it serves chelation and antioxidant-stabilizing functions.

This helps protect sensitive ingredients from metal-catalyzed degradation in processed formulations. It also appears in specialty polyol synthesis, where its hydroxyl-rich structure is valuable. The compound serves as a building block for surfactants and polyurethane intermediates. Methyl alpha-D-glucopyranoside is supplied as a white crystalline powder or granule.

Food-grade and pharmaceutical-grade specifications are available, with material commonly tested against USP or FCC standards depending on the target application. Bulk quantities are standard for industrial procurement, with smaller quantities available for formulation development. This ensures flexibility for both large-scale production and R&D.