Comparing E1518 - Glyceryl triacetate vs E490 - Propylene glycol
Overview
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Search volume over time
Interest over time for 5 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Interest over time for 9 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—when used within regulatory limits in foods, propylene glycol is considered safe; the FDA classifies it as GRAS and EFSA set an acceptable daily intake of 25 mg/kg body weight per day.
What is propylene glycol used for?
In foods it acts as a solvent and carrier for flavors and colors, a humectant to retain moisture, and sometimes a stabilizer; it’s also used as a solvent in medicines and cosmetics.
Does propylene glycol cause cancer?
No—major health agencies do not classify propylene glycol as carcinogenic, and studies have not linked typical exposures to cancer.
Is propylene glycol antifreeze?
Yes, it’s used as a less‑toxic antifreeze/heat‑transfer fluid (e.g., RV or food‑industry systems), which is separate from its low‑level use in foods.
Is propylene glycol bad for you?
At normal food levels it isn’t considered harmful; very high intakes can cause irritation or metabolic effects, and people with kidney or liver disease and infants may be more sensitive.