Propylene Glycol in the Medical Industry

When the body’s integumentary system is in such poor shape it necessitates medical attention, chances are high the medication prescribed by a physician contains propylene glycol as an ingredient. This mild, quickly absorbed water-soluble viscous alcohol rapidly soothes and protects skin to enhance healing. USP ingredient supplier Bell Chem ensures its inventory contains propylene glycol (CH3CH[OH]CH3OH) for its suppliers to manufacture the proper formulation of medications for their customers. Learn about its most prominent medical uses.

Radiation Therapy

Patients undergoing radiation therapy often develop topical partial thickness burns due to the intensity of treatment. Applying propylene glycol moisturizes the skin to ease the pain of the burns while its antibacterial properties stimulate healing.

Diaper Rash

Infants with diaper rash require a fast-acting ingredient to prevent chafing and further skin damage. Propylene glycol creates a barrier between the skin and bacteria as it expedites healing. Because it is considered biocompatible, discomfort is alleviated.

Intensive Care

Patients in intensive care may require intravenous doses of lorazepam, phenobarbital, nitroglycerine, diazepam or other strong medications. Propylene glycol as a diluent maintains a steady, proper dosage of these powerful medications. 

How it Works

Propylene glycol is a versatile USP ingredient that works in a few different ways, serving several different purposes in the medical field. Here are some of the main roles it plays: 

• Topical silver sulfadiazine uses propylene glycol as an inactive ingredient to increase its overall coverage. Other gels and creams contain propylene glycol for this same function.

• As an inactive ingredient, propylene glycol is also the go-to ingredient for many tablets and capsules to ensure proper dosage of medication over a specific time period.

• As a solvent, propylene glycol dissolves solids into structures containing the same properties as the original product, only in small enough portions for the body’s cells and tissues to readily utilize.

Bell Chem is a USP ingredient supplier based in Longwood, FL (just north of Orlando) with hundreds of products stocked in their 50,000+ square-foot warehouse, including propylene glycol. You can expect the highest quality products, expedited shipping options for maximum efficiency, and unrivaled personalized customer service. Let our knowledgeable and friendly customer service representatives and accounting staff personalize all your needs by either calling 407-339-BELL (2355) or by sending us an online message.

Propylene Glycol in the Food Industry

The importance of propylene glycol in the food industry runs the gamut from improving texture to elongating shelf life. Bell Chem, food ingredient supplier for small and large industries alike, carries propylene glycol for these functions and many others. Propylene glycol is similar to alcohol in its chemical form. Because it is both colorless and odorless, it does not detract from food flavor or appearance. It does, however, enhance several aspects of food. Since it is a glycol, its viscosity is higher than that of water. 

Propylene glycol dissolves a number of substances not permeated by water and retains moisture when added as an ingredient. Other names for propylene glycol include methyl ethyl glycol, trimethyl glycol, and 1,2-propanediol. Propylene glycol has many uses in food production. Here are some of those uses.

Anti-Separating

Adherence of individual food crumbs is not pleasant in mixes and cheese, where it can lead to bacterial growth. Adding propylene glycol separates food particles, allowing it to work as an anti-caking agent. In the same way, propylene glycol acts as an emulsifier. Like oil and water, many other ingredients tend to separate over time. Propylene glycol blends liquids to maintain consistency, such as in milk or other dairy products.

Beer production

Brewers rely on propylene glycol, not directly in beer, but within the chiller system to maintain the perfect brewing temperature. At 35% glycol to 65% water, propylene glycol is able to keep equipment running effectively and efficiently, improving performance and preventing breakdowns.

Carrier

Many processed foods contain added color, flavor, or nutritional additives. To ensure the proper distribution of these additives, propylene glycol dissolves other chemicals. The act of processing foods may alter their appearance, taste, or texture. Propylene glycol can clarify liquids, stabilize taste, and ensure the creamy texture of foods.

Preservative

Adding propylene glycol to marshmallows and nuts stabilizes moisture content in a process known as moisture preservation. Oxygen degenerates many items, including foods. Propylene glycol protects foods against these oxidizing effects. 

Stabilization and Thickening Agent

Propylene glycol modifies gluten and starches within bread and pastry dough, keeping the dough from breaking down under certain conditions. This stabilization is used in various other foods as well to lengthen shelf life.

Bell Chem is a food ingredient supplier based in Longwood, FL (just north of Orlando) with hundreds of products stocked in their 50,000+ square-foot warehouse, including propylene glycol. You can expect the highest quality products, expedited shipping options for maximum efficiency, and unrivaled personalized customer service. Let our knowledgeable and friendly customer service representatives and accounting staff personalize all your needs by either calling 407-339-BELL (2355) or by sending us an online message.

Propylene Glycol: A Multipurpose Chemical for Many Industries

Propylene glycol is a synthetic organic alcohol with the ability to attract and retain water. Propylene glycol has a variety of functions in a myriad of industries, including pharmaceutical, food and beverage, and personal care. Below are only a few uses of propylene glycol in these industries.

• When propylene glycol’s purity exceeds 99.8%, USP and EP deem it acceptable for foods and pharmaceuticals. In this form, propylene glycol can be used as a solvent for aromatics, in elixirs for pharmaceutical compounds, as a humectant for the salivary glands to wet the mouth, or as a solvent and emulsifier in sunscreens and lotions.

• The pharmaceutical industry adds multi-purpose propylene glycol as an inactive ingredient in oral, injectable, and topical medications. Because it decreases the viscosity of liquids, propylene glycol makes oral medications easier to pour. As a stabilizer, propylene glycol helps to deliver the precise amount of medication with each dose.

• Dairy and brewing industries find propylene glycol’s properties convenient in low temperature heat-transfer fluids. Grocery stores often rely on propylene glycol in food display cases for this same reason.

• The food industry has three separate but intertwined uses for propylene glycol: as a preservative, a stabilizer, and a humectant. Coffee, tree nuts, soda, baked goods, and salad dressings are only a few products that list propylene glycol as an ingredient as it helps deliver the same amount of flavor and moisture with each bite or sip.

• Many cosmetics, including moisturizers, soaps, deodorants, facial cleansers, shampoos, and conditioners, contain propylene glycol as a moisturizer, solvent, and humectant. As a dispersant, propylene glycol is added to fragrances so the exact amount of odor is released with every spray.

With such a wide range of uses, propylene glycol will surely benefit your company. Order this chemical and many more from Bell Chem, your Florida chemical supply company. Bell Chem’s headquarters are located in Longwood, FL – just north of Orlando – with hundreds of products stocked in our 50,000+ square-foot warehouse. You can expect the highest quality products, expedited shipping options for maximum efficiency, and unrivaled personalized customer service. Let our knowledgeable and friendly customer service representatives and accounting staff handle all your needs by calling 407-339-BELL (2355) or send us an online message.

The Many Faces of Propylene Glycol

How often do you hear of a chemical that acts as an antifreeze, can be used to create polymers in the plastics industry, yet is safe enough to be used in food? Propylene glycol meets all those requirements and can be used in these capacities as well as dozens of others. Industrial chemical supplier, Bell Chem, discusses its uses:  

• Propylene glycol absorbs water to maintain a correct moisture balance in medicines, cosmetics and food products.

• When mixed with water, propylene glycol is utilized in the entertainment industry and for fire training exercises; as the ingredients added to a fog machine, the vaporization of this mixture is emitted as a dense fog. This same phenomenon works at home: propylene glycol is also used in home vaporizers.

• In paints and plastics, propylene glycol is the choice for synthetic resins. In fact, a whopping 45% of propylene glycol produced is used as chemical feedstock in the production of unsaturated polyester resins.

• Food colors and flavors have a propylene glycol base; it is almost completely odorless and tasteless and adds viscosity to products.

• Electronic cigarettes utilize propylene glycol as its “e-liquid” with vegetable glycerin.

• The pharmaceutical industry relies on propylene glycol as a solvent for many water insoluble oral, injectable, and topical drugs.

• Ethylene glycol was the antifreeze of choice years ago, but this deadly concoction proved to be enticing for animals to consume. Propylene glycol is much safer for animals and consumers as a de-icing fluid.

• Veterinarians find propylene glycol helpful in the oral treatment of hyperketonaemia in animals with a rumen.

• The food industry adds propylene glycol to liquid sweeteners, ice cream, soda, whipped cream, and coffee-based beverages.

Learn more about this multifaceted chemical by calling industrial chemical supplier Bell Chem at (407) 339-BELL (2355) and speaking with one of our knowledgeable representatives. You can also contact us online.

Propylene Glycol

Propylene Glycol is a colorless and virtually odorless viscous liquid. It does not irritate the skin, but is mildly irritating to the eyes. Propylene glycol has a slightly sweet taste and is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for certain uses as food additives. Propylene glycol is hygroscopic and very stable. It has a high boiling point and low vapor pressure. Also, propylene glycol has the ability to dissolve other substances and is completely water-soluble. The properties of propylene glycol make it perfect for a lot of specific uses in many different industries. Propylene glycol has a very broad array of practical applications and is used as a chemical ingredient in many products including anti-freezes, foods, cosmetics products, pharmaceuticals, aircraft de-icing fluids, fragrances, and personal care products.

These are some of the ways propylene glycol is used:

•    As a solvent in pharmaceuticals including oral, inject-able, and topical formulas.

•    As a moisturizer in medicines, cosmetics, food, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner, pet care products, mouth wash, hair dye, and tobacco products.

•    As an ingredient in massage oils, fragrance oils, hand sanitizers, antibacterial lotions, and saline solutions.

•    To make artificial smoke or fog theatrical productions and firefighter training.

•    As a vaporizable base for diluting the nicotine liquid in electronic cigarettes.

•    As a solvent for food colors and food flavorings.

•    As a wetting agent to determine time needed for paints and coatings to dry.

•    As a lubricant in air conditioning compressors.

As a leading chemical supplier in Orlando, Bell Chem offers quick delivery of any of our hundreds of chemicals on our own fleet of trucks. Propylene glycol is just one of the many products we offer. We also stock a wide variety of other reagent-grade, personal care, nutritional, and water treatment products. Give us a call at 407-339-BELL (2355) to learn more about our products.