diglyceride
Quick Summary
A diglyceride is a chemical compound formed when two fatty acids react with glycerol. Glycerol is a clear, viscous liquid that is sweet-tasting and belongs to the alcohol family of organic compounds. Fats and oils are primarily composed of glycerides, which are esters formed from glycerol and fatty acids.123
Diglycerides are considered partial esters of glycerol and are seldom found in natural fats except as a result of triglyceride hydrolysis. They are easily synthesized and are used as emulsifiers, which help stabilize mixtures of oil and water. This property makes them useful as softening agents in baked goods and stabilizers in ice cream.32
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