Constipation or stool retention is a common occurrence in children in the first years of life. If the problem is episodic or very rare, you can not contact your doctor, but eliminate constipation yourself by including fermented milk products and necessary vegetables in your child’s diet. It’s another matter if constipation becomes systematic. In this case, a special diet will not solve the problem and you will have to resort to laxatives, and in severe cases, seek help from a qualified specialist - a gastroenterologist. Glycerin suppositories are best for constipation, but you need to read the instructions before use.
Physical properties
Colorless, viscous, odorless liquid. It tastes sweet, which is why it got its name (Greek γλυκερός - sweet). It has a molar mass of 92.09 g/mol, relative density d420 = 1.260, refractive index nD20 = 1.4740. The melting point is 17.9 °C, boils at 290 °C, partially decomposing. It is hygroscopic, absorbs water from the atmosphere in amounts up to 40% of its own weight. It is miscible with water, methanol, ethanol, and acetone in any proportions, but is insoluble in ether and chloroform, although it can dissolve in their mixtures with ethanol.
When glycerin is dissolved in water, heat is released and contraction occurs—a decrease in the volume of the solution. Mixtures of glycerin with water have a melting point much lower than each of the substances individually, for example, with a mass content of glycerin of 66.7%, its mixture with water will freeze at −46.5 °C.
Forms azeotropes with naphthalene, its derivatives and a number of other substances.
Instructions for use of glycerin
Glycerin suppositories
To eliminate constipation, it is recommended to use suppositories with glycerin: they are inserted into the rectum once a day and removed after 15-20 minutes. It is recommended to use candles immediately after your morning meal. The use of suppositories should be stopped immediately after intestinal motility normalizes. The dosage for children must be reduced.
Liquid glycerin
Liquid glycerin is also used to normalize intestinal function. It is used as one of the components of microenemas, or drunk as a medicinal syrup. The volume of the drug is determined depending on body weight; it is recommended to use no more than 3 milliliters of solution per 1.5 grams of pure drug.
Overdose
An overdose of glycerin is manifested by severe dizziness, impaired consciousness, increased dryness in the mouth and a sharp increase in the feeling of thirst.
Chemical properties
The chemical properties of glycerin are typical of polyhydric alcohols.
The interaction of glycerol with hydrogen halides or phosphorus halides leads to the formation of mono- and dihalohydrins.
Glycerol is esterified with carboxylic and mineral oxygen-containing acids to form the corresponding esters. Thus, with nitric acid, glycerin forms trinitrate - nitroglycerin (obtained in 1847 by Ascanio Sobrero), which is currently used in the production of smokeless gunpowder.
When dehydrated, it forms the toxic acrolein:
HOCH2CH(OH)−CH2OH ⟶ H2C = CH−CHO + 2H2O,
and is oxidized to glyceraldehyde CH2OHCHOHCHO, dihydroxyacetone CH2OHCOCH2OH or glyceric acid CH2OHCHOHCOOH.
Esters of glycerol and higher carboxylic acids - fats are important metabolites; phospholipids - mixed glycerides of phosphoric and carboxylic acids - also play an important biological role.
Main conclusions
Glycerin can be used for many purposes. You learned this from the review above. It is inexpensive and quite accessible, helps maintain skin condition as part of cosmetic products.
Will delight the kids with soap bubbles. Glycerin will improve the shine of your car and help in removing stains from clothes, cleaning furniture and cleaning the house.
If the article was useful to you, share your impressions in the comments.
Receipt
Glycerin was first obtained in 1779 by Carl Wilhelm Scheele by saponification of fats in the presence of lead oxides. The bulk of glycerin is obtained as a by-product during the saponification of fats.
Most synthetic methods for producing glycerin are based on the use of propylene as a starting product. By chlorinating propylene at 450–500 °C, allyl chloride is obtained; when hypochlorous acid is added to the latter, chlorohydrins are formed, for example, CH2ClCHOHCH2Cl, which, when saponified with alkali, are converted into glycerol.
Other methods are based on the transformation of allyl chloride into glycerol through dichlorohydrin or allyl alcohol. There is also a known method for producing glycerol by oxidation of propylene into acrolein; When a mixture of acrolein vapor and isopropyl alcohol is passed through a mixed ZnO - MgO catalyst, allyl alcohol is formed. It turns into glycerol at 190-270 °C in an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide.
Glycerin can also be obtained from the hydrolysis products of starch, wood flour, hydrogenation of the resulting monosaccharides or glycolic fermentation of sugars. Glycerin is also obtained as a by-product in the production of biofuels.
Application of glycerin
The substance in question is popular in the following areas:
- food industry;
- tobacco production;
- fillers for electronic cigarettes;
- pharmaceuticals;
- production of care cosmetics;
- production of detergents;
- Agriculture;
- textile industry;
- paper industry;
- leather industry;
- production of plastic products;
- paint and varnish industry;
- electrical engineering and radio engineering.
Glycerin in the food industry
In the food industry, glycerin is known under the index E422. The food additive can be found in confectionery products - where glycerin is responsible for improving the consistency, it also prevents chocolate from sagging and increases the volume of baked goods.
Glycerin also makes pasta less sticky during cooking, improves storage of finished products and prevents starch from sticking.
The compound in question is widely used in the production of extracts of coffee, tea, ginger and other products. You can find the additive in soft drinks – it is responsible for the softness of the taste.
Glycerin in the tobacco industry
Glycerin is added to smoking mixtures to keep the leaves moist longer. The substance also eliminates unpleasant taste.
Glycerin in e-liquid
Glycerin is used in e-liquids to ensure a sufficient level of hygroscopicity.
Glycerin in the pharmaceutical industry
In medicine, glycerin is used to increase the solubility of drugs and increase their viscosity. Glycerin can be found in ointments, pastes and creams.
Glycerin in agriculture
In agriculture, glycerin is used to treat crops to increase yield. Glycerin can also protect trees from pests.
Glycerin in the textile industry
In the textile industry, the substance is used to impart softness to fabrics; it also fixes paint on materials.
Glycerin in cosmetology
The substance is often included in creams and masks - it is responsible for the condition of the skin: it makes it softer and more elastic, nourishes it with moisture, penetrating first into the upper and then into the deeper layers of the skin.
Glycerol derivatives and their place in the metabolism of living organisms
Glycerides
Glycerol (3D model), atoms and electron pairs at oxygen atoms are shown (pink color)
Triglycerides are derivatives of glycerol and are formed by the addition of higher fatty acids to it. Triglycerides are important components in the metabolic process in living organisms.
Fats and oils are hydrophobic and insoluble in water, since the hydroxyl groups of glycerol are replaced by low-polar fatty acid residues.
Glycerin suppositories, reviews of the drug
Reviews about this product are only positive. Suppositories are effective for stool retention and, unlike most laxatives, do not cause discomfort or pain. When seeking qualified help, doctors often prescribe Suppositoria Glycerini or Suppositoria cum Glycerino. These suppositories can be used for newborn babies, since in addition to glycerin, they contain stearic acid and sodium carbonate.
special instructions
There are no direct medical contraindications, but the drug should still be used with caution by people with the following pathologies:
- diabetes mellitus, when the blood glucose level can rise to a level above 8 mmol, and the patient receives replacement therapy with insulin injections;
- liver cirrhosis caused by intoxication with chemicals, prolonged consumption of alcoholic beverages, hepatitis, tumor processes;
- chronic renal failure (regardless of the cause that provoked the pathological condition of the organ).
Despite the fact that glycerin is a polyhydric alcohol, its use as a medicine does not entail a decrease in reaction or concentration. Therefore, the drug is approved for the treatment of vehicle drivers, as well as machine and equipment operators.
Effect on the human body
Glycerin is well absorbed by the body, as it is easily converted into fats by the digestive system. For this reason, it is not considered toxic. The daily consumption of this substance is not limited in any way. But do not forget that glycerin is hygroscopic, so in the body it leads to a large excretion of water, that is, there is a risk of dehydration. For this reason, its use in food products is strictly regulated. When it comes into contact with the skin, it also has a drying effect. There is still debate about the need to use the substance in cosmetics.
So, the article examined the composition and properties of glycerin, its use.
Signs of overdose
It is strictly not recommended to use the drug “Glycerol” (suppositories) as a means for the constant removal of fecal matter. Otherwise, an overdose is possible, the symptoms of which may include:
- nausea and vomiting;
- dizziness;
- destabilization of consciousness;
- dry mouth and thirst;
- diarrhea;
- the occurrence of renal imbalance;
- arrhythmia.
Experts note that if the medicine is used for a long time by a patient with severe dehydration or suffering from diabetes, hyperglycemia may occur. When taking a glycerin-based drug, coma or death is very rare.
