Comparing E1518 - Glyceryl triacetate vs E1520 - Propylene Glycol
Overview
Synonyms
Products
Found in 119 products
Found in 3,052 products
Search rank & volume
Awareness score
Search volume over time
Interest over time for 5 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Interest over time for 4 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Popular questions
Why is triacetin bad for you?
It isn’t generally considered bad for you—regulators (e.g., EU as E1518; JECFA/EFSA) regard it as safe at permitted food-use levels and it’s metabolized to glycerol and acetate. Large exposures can cause mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested or irritation on skin/eyes from the neat liquid.
What is triacetin made from?
Triacetin is the triester of glycerol and acetic acid, typically produced by acetylating glycerol with acetic acid or acetic anhydride.
What is triacetin used for?
In foods it serves as a carrier/solvent for flavors, humectant, and emulsifier (and plasticizer in gum base); it’s also used in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics as a solvent and plasticizer for capsules and topical formulations.
How to make triacetin?
Industrially it’s made by esterifying glycerol with acetic acid or acetic anhydride in the presence of an acid catalyst, then removing water and purifying (e.g., by distillation) to obtain glycerol triacetate.
How triacetin acts as penetration enhancer?
As a lipophilic solvent/plasticizer, triacetin partitions into stratum corneum lipids, increases their fluidity, and improves drug partitioning and diffusion; it can also raise the solubility of actives at the skin surface.
Is propylene glycol safe?
Yes—E1520 is authorized in the EU and considered GRAS by the FDA when used within limits; the ADI is 25 mg/kg body weight per day. Very high exposures (mainly from medicines), especially in infants or those with kidney/liver impairment, can cause adverse effects.
What is propylene glycol used for?
In foods it functions as a humectant and solvent/carrier for flavors, colors, and emulsifiers, helping retain moisture and distribute ingredients evenly. It’s commonly used in baked goods, icings, confectionery, and flavor extracts.
Does propylene glycol cause cancer?
No—propane-1,2-diol has not shown carcinogenic effects in studies and is not classified as a human carcinogen. Regulatory evaluations report no cancer concern at permitted food-use levels.
Is propylene glycol antifreeze?
Propylene glycol is used in “low-toxicity” antifreeze and cooling systems, whereas the more toxic antifreeze is typically ethylene glycol. Food-grade propylene glycol is the same chemical but produced to high purity and used at much lower amounts in foods.
Is propylene glycol bad for you?
For most people, typical amounts in foods are not harmful and are well below the ADI (25 mg/kg body weight/day). Some individuals may experience irritation or rare allergic reactions, and excessive exposure—mainly from pharmaceuticals—can be problematic.