Glycerides

Alfa Chemistry is a specialized supplier of liposome and fatty acid products based in the United States, dedicated to providing globally recognized research institutions, pharmaceutical companies, food manufacturers, and cosmetic brands with structurally defined, high-purity glyceride products. We offer mono-, di-, and triglycerides ranging from small laboratory packages to industrial-scale quantities. Our products feature high stability, customizability, and broad application versatility, meeting the diverse needs of liposome preparation, drug delivery system development, functional food modification, and personal care product innovation.

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What Are Glycerides?

Glycerides are ester compounds formed by glycerol (a triol) and one or more fatty acids. These compounds naturally occur in vegetable oils and animal fats and are one of the main components of lipids. The formation of glycerides involves an esterification reaction between the hydroxyl groups of glycerol and the carboxyl groups of fatty acids, producing ester bonds and thereby forming the ester compounds.

Types of Glycerides

Based on the number of fatty acid molecules bound, glycerides can be classified as monoglycerides, diglycerides, and triglycerides.

Monoglycerides (MAGs)

Glycerol molecules esterified with one fatty acid molecule, commonly used in emulsification, surfactants, and delivery system development.

Diglycerides (DAGs)

Glycerol bound to two fatty acid molecules, exhibiting higher fluidity, often applied in the food industry and biomembrane models.

Triglycerides (TAGs)

All three hydroxyl groups esterified, representing the main constituents of natural oils and fats, playing important roles in energy metabolism and pharmaceutical lipid systems.

Recommended Best-Selling Products

We have carefully selected a range of best-selling glyceride products, which are favored by customers due to their excellent quality and broad applications.

1-Monostearate-glycerol

Glyceryl Monooleate

1,3-Distearate-Glycerol

Dioleate-Glycerol

Triolein

1-Monostearate-glycerol

Structure Type: Monoglyceride
Main Application Areas: Food emulsifier, cosmetic emulsifier
Product Features: High purity, excellent emulsification, strong stability

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Glyceryl Monooleate

Structure Type: Monoglyceride
Main Application Areas: Drug carrier, liposome preparation
Product Features: Good biocompatibility, suitable for lipid nanocarrier development

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1,3-Distearate-Glycerol

Structure Type: Diglyceride
Main Application Areas: Personal care products, emulsion stabilizer
Product Features: Excellent moisturizing effect, improves product texture and stability

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Dioleate-Glycerol

Structure Type: Diglyceride
Main Application Areas: Biomaterials, functional oils
Product Features: Good fluidity, melting point regulation, suitable for various formulations

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Triolein

Structure Type: Triglyceride
Main Application Areas: Nutritional supplements, liposome carrier
Product Features: Natural unsaturated fatty acid composition, excellent stability and fluidity

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Typical Applications of Glycerides

Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology

Liposome construction: Used together with cholesterol and phospholipids to build stable liposome membranes;
Nanoemulsion carriers: Improve drug solubility and bioavailability;
Sustained and controlled release systems: Regulate drug release rates in the gastrointestinal tract or through the skin;
Lipid nanoparticles/solid lipid carriers: For delivery of vaccines, anticancer drugs, and neuropharmaceuticals.

Food Additives and Structure Optimization

Improve food texture, extend shelf life, and prevent fat separation;
Enhance emulsification capacity and stability, especially suitable for bakery, ice cream, and beverages;
Diglycerides can be used to develop low-calorie fats to assist in weight-loss formula design.

Cosmetics and Personal Care Products

Act as moisturizers, emulsifiers, and emollients in skincare products;
High compatibility with natural oils, suitable for natural and organic cosmetics;
Enhance sensory properties such as smoothness, spreadability, and product stability.

Industrial Materials and Functional Formulations

Base oil components for bio-lubricants;
Biodegradable surfactants and intermediates for oils and fats;
Anti-adhesion surface modification materials in medical devices.

Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology

Food Additives and Structure Optimization

Cosmetics and Personal Care Products

Industrial Materials and Functional Formulations

Custom Services — Tailored Solutions for Your Specific Needs

To better support scientific innovation and industrial development, we offer flexible custom glyceride services to help clients obtain product solutions best suited to their application scenarios. Whether it is fatty acid chain length, saturation level, or special functional modifications, we can tailor products according to your requirements.

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Why Choose Us?

Custom Services

Fatty acid structure, chain length, saturation, and packaging form customizable;

Technical Support

Provide structure verification, formulation advice, and application solutions;

Shipping Efficiency

Local stock in the USA, same-day dispatch, international express delivery supported;

Compliance Assurance

COA, MSDS, TDS, BSE/TSE certificates, and animal-free source declarations provided.

What Success Stories Can We Share?

Discover how our products are applied in real-world scenarios through our case studies.

Case 1: Pharmaceutical R&D Company - Development of Liposomal Drug Delivery Systems

Customer Background

This client is a biopharmaceutical company specializing in innovative drug delivery technologies. It focuses on developing efficient and safe liposomal drug delivery systems to enhance the bioavailability and targeting of poorly soluble drugs. With extensive experience in liposome formulation, the R&D team required high-purity, well-defined, and performance-stable lipid raw materials.

Purchased Product

Glyceryl monooleate (monoacylglycerol), used as a key structural component of the liposomal membrane.

Application

The client used our high-purity glyceryl monooleate in combination with phospholipids and cholesterol to formulate liposomes encapsulating hydrophobic anticancer drugs. In vitro drug release studies showed that approximately 65% of the drug was released over 24 hours in pH 7.4 buffer, indicating a sustained-release profile. Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) analysis showed a mean particle size of 120 nm and a low polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.18, demonstrating excellent uniformity and colloidal stability. Cellular uptake studies revealed a 35% increase in uptake for the liposomal formulation compared to the free drug, with significantly reduced cytotoxicity, indicating good biocompatibility. According to the client, the use of glyceryl monooleate significantly improved membrane stability and drug loading capacity, which in turn accelerated their formulation development process.

Client Feedback

"Your glyceryl monooleate offers excellent purity and batch-to-batch consistency, which fully meets our stringent raw material specifications. The technical team’s fast response and practical recommendations were highly valuable to our R&D progress."

Case 2: Food Ingredient Manufacturer - Application of High-Performance Functional Emulsifiers

Customer Background

This client is a specialized producer of functional food ingredients, serving industries such as bakery, beverages, dairy, and frozen foods. The company prioritizes natural and safe additives and is constantly innovating to improve taste and extend shelf life.

Purchased Products

Glyceryl monostearate (monoacylglycerol) and glyceryl distearate (diacylglycerol), used as food emulsifiers and texture modifiers.

Application

The client incorporated our glyceride products into cake and ice cream production, optimizing fat dispersion and preventing oil–water separation. After 30 days of storage stability testing, the phase separation rate was below 2%, compared to 15% in the control group without emulsifiers. Texture analyzer results showed a 20% improvement in elastic modulus (G'), and consumer sensory tests gave an average satisfaction rating of 4.6 out of 5, highlighting improved creaminess and mouthfeel. The high emulsifying efficiency of our glycerides contributed to a longer shelf life and enhanced product competitiveness in the market.

Client Feedback

"These glyceride emulsifiers are easy to process and clearly enhance both texture and appearance of our products. We are very satisfied with the batch consistency and reliable delivery."

Case 3: Skincare Brand - Development of Natural-Based Emollients

Customer Background

The client is a company dedicated to the R&D and production of natural and organic skincare products, emphasizing safety, plant-based ingredients, and environmental sustainability. Their R&D team seeks green, functional alternatives to conventional synthetic emulsifiers and emollients.

Purchased Product

Glyceryl monopalmitate (monoacylglycerol), used as a co-emulsifier and emollient in creams and lotions.

Application

The client used our glyceryl monopalmitate to replace a portion of petroleum-based emulsifiers, combining it with botanical oils and active ingredients to develop lightweight, fast-absorbing, and skin-friendly formulations. Stability tests showed no phase separation or performance degradation after 90 days at 40 ℃. In vitro skin irritation testing using the EpiDerm model yielded an irritation index of less than 0.5, meeting high safety standards. Transdermal absorption studies demonstrated a ~15% increase in active ingredient permeation. The product line received strong market recognition and aligned with the client’s sustainability-focused brand values.

Client Feedback

"The glyceride delivers excellent moisturization and emulsion stability. Your team’s technical support played a crucial role in accelerating the development of our new product line."

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: How do glycerides affect liposome stability and drug loading?

The fatty acid chain length and saturation degree of glycerides directly affect the fluidity and compactness of the liposomal membrane, thereby determining its mechanical strength and drug encapsulation capacity. Longer and more saturated fatty acid chains tend to enhance membrane crystallinity and stability but may reduce flexibility and drug release rates. Rational selection and blending of glyceride types can help optimize the balance between loading efficiency and release performance.

Q2: How do mono- and diglycerides improve emulsion stability in food systems?

Monoglycerides such as glyceryl monostearate provide interfacial activity by lowering interfacial tension and promoting oil droplet dispersion. Diglycerides, like glyceryl distearate, form crystalline network structures that enhance the mechanical stability and anti-separation ability of the emulsion. The combination of both improves thermal stability and resistance to freeze-thaw cycles in emulsified food systems.

Q3: How does glyceride structure influence emulsification and skin feel in cosmetics?

The number of esterified sites on the glycerol backbone determines the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) of the glyceride. Monoglycerides typically act as co-emulsifiers, enhancing formulation spreadability and flow. Diglycerides, by contrast, tend to form semi-solid structures, improving the viscosity and stability of emulsions. The degree of fatty acid saturation and presence of branching also influence the final product's smoothness and absorption profile.

Q4: How can fatty acid selection tune the thermal properties of custom glycerides?

Fatty acid chain length and unsaturation are key factors determining the melting point of glycerides. Longer, saturated chains increase the melting point, making glycerides solid at room temperature. Incorporating unsaturated fatty acids with double bonds lowers the melting point, resulting in better fluidity and softness. By adjusting the ratio of different fatty acids, thermal behavior can be tailored to meet specific application requirements.

Q5: How are glycerides metabolized in drug delivery systems, and how is their safety evaluated?

Once administered, glycerides are primarily hydrolyzed by lipases into glycerol and free fatty acids, which enter normal lipid metabolic pathways. The rate of glyceride metabolism affects drug release kinetics and bioavailability. Safety evaluation involves pharmacokinetic (PK) and toxicological studies to ensure that the metabolites are non-toxic and can be effectively cleared from the body.

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