monoglütseride

Monoglütseride, also known as monoglycerides or monoacylglycerols, are a class of lipids derived from glycerol and a single fatty acid. They are formed through esterification, where the hydroxyl group of glycerol reacts with the carboxyl group of a fatty acid, releasing a molecule of water. This process can occur in living organisms and is also a common industrial process for creating emulsifiers.

These compounds play crucial roles in biological systems. In the digestive process, monoglütseride are intermediate products formed during the breakdown of triglycerides (fats and oils) by enzymes called lipases. They are more water-soluble than triglycerides, facilitating their absorption into the bloodstream. In food science, monoglütseride are widely used as emulsifiers. Their amphipathic nature, possessing both a hydrophilic (water-attracting) head and a hydrophobic (water-repelling) tail, allows them to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, preventing separation. This property makes them valuable in products like ice cream, baked goods, and margarines to improve texture and consistency. The specific type of monoglütseride depends on the fatty acid attached to the glycerol backbone.