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Glycerol vs. Glycine: Know the Difference

Shumaila Saeed
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Glycerol is a simple polyol compound used as a sweetener and in pharmaceuticals, while glycine is the simplest amino acid, involved in protein synthesis.
Glycerol vs. Glycine

Key Differences

Glycerol, a trihydroxy alcohol, is a viscous liquid often used in food and pharmaceuticals. Glycine, on the other hand, is a non-essential amino acid, the simplest in the human body.
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Dec 06, 2023
Glycerol is a backbone for triglycerides and an important intermediate in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Glycine plays a critical role in the synthesis of proteins, purines, and other amino acids.
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Glycerol is sweet-tasting, colorless, and odorless, used in food, cosmetics, and as a moisturizer. Glycine is a sweet-tasting, colorless, crystalline solid, used in dietary supplements and as a flavor enhancer.
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Glycerol is used in the production of nitroglycerin, antifreeze, and as a plasticizer. Glycine is used in antacids, analgesics, and for therapeutic purposes in neurology and psychiatry.
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Glycerol, with three hydroxyl groups, is highly reactive in forming esters and ethers. Glycine, with a single hydrogen as its side chain, is the only achiral amino acid and is less reactive.
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Comparison Chart

Chemical Structure

A trihydroxy alcohol
The simplest amino acid
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Biological Function

Backbone for triglycerides, an intermediate in metabolism
Involved in protein synthesis, neurotransmitter activities
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Physical Properties

Viscous liquid, sweet taste
Crystalline solid, sweet taste
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Industrial Uses

Used in food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals
Dietary supplements, flavor enhancer
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Chemical Reactivity

Forms esters and ethers
Less reactive, only achiral amino acid
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Glycerol and Glycine Definitions

Glycerol

Glycerol is a component of fats and oils, forming the backbone of triglycerides.
In the lab, we extracted glycerol from vegetable oil.
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Glycine

Glycine is the simplest amino acid found in proteins.
Glycine is abundant in collagen, contributing to skin elasticity.
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Glycerol

Glycerol is a simple polyol compound.
Glycerol is added to lotions for its moisturizing properties.
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Glycine

Glycine, a non-essential amino acid, is involved in protein synthesis.
Dietary supplements often contain glycine to support muscle growth.
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Glycerol

Glycerol, a trihydroxy alcohol, is used in both food and pharmaceutical industries.
The cough syrup contains glycerol to improve its texture and taste.
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Glycine

Glycine acts as a neurotransmitter in the central nervous system.
Glycine's role in neurotransmission is crucial for cognitive functions.
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Glycerol

Glycerol is used as a sweetener and humectant in various products.
Glycerol is added to baked goods to retain moisture.
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Glycine

Glycine is used therapeutically in psychiatry and neurology.
Some studies suggest glycine may improve certain psychiatric conditions.
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Glycerol

Glycerol is a viscous liquid used in antifreeze and as a plasticizer.
The antifreeze's effectiveness is due to its glycerol content.
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Glycine

Glycine is a colorless, sweet-tasting crystalline solid.
Glycine is used as a flavor enhancer in food products.
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Glycerol

A syrupy, sweet, colorless or yellowish liquid triol, C3H8O3, obtained from fats and oils as a byproduct of saponification and used as a solvent, antifreeze, plasticizer, and sweetener and in the manufacture of dynamite, cosmetics, liquid soaps, inks, and lubricants.
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Glycine

A sweet-tasting crystalline nonessential amino acid, C2H5NO2, that is the principal amino acid occurring in sugarcane. The simplest amino acid found in protein, it is derived from the alkaline hydrolysis of gelatin and used in biochemical research and medicine.
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Glycerol

(organic compound) 1,2,3-trihydroxy-propane or propan-1,2,3-triol; a trihydric alcohol
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Glycine

(amino acid) A nonessential amino acid, amino-acetic acid, C2H5NO2 found in most proteins but especially in sugar cane; the simplest amino acid.
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Glycerol

A syrupy sweet liquid obtained as a by-product in the manufacture of soap from animal or vegetable oils and fats; it is used as an antifreeze, a plasticizer, and a food sweetener and in the manufacture of dynamite, cosmetics etc.
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Glycine

The simplest amino acid found in proteins and the principal amino acid in sugar cane
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Glycerol

Same as Glycerin.
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Glycine

Genus of Asiatic erect or sprawling herbs: soya bean
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Glycerol

A sweet syrupy trihydroxy alcohol obtained by saponification of fats and oils
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Oct 19, 2023

Repeatedly Asked Queries

Where is glycine found?

In proteins, especially collagen.
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What is glycerol?

A trihydroxy alcohol used in various industries.
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What is glycine?

The simplest amino acid, involved in protein synthesis.
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Is glycerol a sugar?

No, but it is sweet-tasting and used as a sweetener.
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Is glycerol safe for consumption?

Yes, it's widely used in food and pharmaceuticals.
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Does glycerol have a role in medicine?

Yes, in cough syrups and as a humectant.
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Where is glycerol found?

In fats and oils, and as a component in many products.
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What are the health benefits of glycine?

Supports muscle growth and neurological functions.
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Is glycine an essential amino acid?

No, it's non-essential, meaning the body can synthesize it.
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What are the industrial uses of glycine?

In dietary supplements and as a flavor enhancer.
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Can glycerol be synthesized in the body?

Yes, it's a part of lipid metabolism.
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Is glycine safe for consumption?

Yes, as a dietary supplement or food additive.
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Does glycine have a role in medicine?

Yes, in psychiatric and neurological therapies.
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Can glycine help with sleep?

Some studies suggest it might improve sleep quality.
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Can glycine be used in cooking?

Yes, as a flavor enhancer or dietary supplement.
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Is glycerol found in skincare products?

Yes, for its moisturizing properties.
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How is glycerol produced industrially?

From biodiesel production and fat saponification.
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What are the industrial uses of glycerol?

In cosmetics, food, antifreeze, and plasticizers.
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Can glycerol be used in baking?

Yes, as a humectant to retain moisture in baked goods.
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How is glycine produced industrially?

Synthetically, through chemical processes.
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About Author
Shumaila Saeed
Written by
Shumaila Saeed
Shumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.

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