1monoglütseriid

1-monoglyceride, also known as alpha-monoglyceride, is a type of glycerol molecule esterified with a fatty acid at the primary (alpha) position. This means the fatty acid chain is attached to one of the end carbon atoms of the glycerol backbone. Monoglycerides are a class of lipids, and they are distinct from diglycerides and triglycerides, which have two or three fatty acid molecules esterified to the glycerol.

The structure of 1-monoglyceride is characterized by a glycerol backbone with a hydroxyl group and a fatty acid esterified to either the C1 or C3 position. Due to the symmetry of the glycerol molecule, esterification at C1 and C3 results in the same compound, hence the designation 1-monoglyceride or alpha-monoglyceride. The remaining two hydroxyl groups on the glycerol backbone are typically free.

1-monoglycerides are naturally occurring compounds found in small amounts in animal fats and vegetable oils. They are often produced commercially through the hydrolysis of fats and oils or the esterification of glycerol with fatty acids. Due to their amphiphilic nature, possessing both hydrophilic (water-loving) and lipophilic (fat-loving) properties, monoglycerides serve as effective emulsifiers. This property makes them widely used in the food industry as additives to stabilize emulsions in products like margarine, ice cream, and baked goods. They also find applications in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.