Glycerol monolaurate

Glycerol Monolaurate (GML), also known as Monolaurin or 1-Monolaurin (CAS 142-18-7), is a monoglyceride ester formed from glycerol and lauric acid. It carries no assigned E-code for direct food use in the EU but is recognised under REACH and used across personal care and food-grade applications under its common trade designations.

In cosmetic formulations, GML functions as an emulsifier and conditioning agent by reducing interfacial tension between oil and water phases, enabling stable emulsions in creams and hair products. In food-contact and nutrition applications, it acts as an antimicrobial emulsifier, disrupting lipid membranes of certain gram-positive bacteria to extend product stability.

GML is available in powder and crystalline grades meeting FCC and cosmetic-grade specifications, with REACH compliance documentation available for EU procurement. Standard packaging includes fibre drums and multi-layer bags; FCC-grade material is suitable for food-adjacent applications requiring documented purity and traceability.