| Synonyms | Glyceryl monostearate |
| Glyceryl monopalmitate |
| Glyceryl monooleate, etc. |
| Monostearin, monopalmitin, monoolein, etc. |
| GMS (for glyceryl monostearate) |
| Definition | Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids consist of mixtures of glycerol mono-, di- and triesters of fatty acids occurring in food oils and fats. They may contain small amounts of free fatty acids and glycerol |
| Assay | Content of mono- and diesters: not less than 70 % |
| Description | The product varies from a pale yellow to pale brown oily liquid to a white or slightly off-white hard waxy solid. The solids may be in the form of flakes, powders or small beads |
| Identification | |
A.Infrared spectrum | Characteristic of a partial fatty acid ester of a polyol |
B.Positive tests for glycerol and for fatty acids | |
C.Solubility | Insoluble in water, soluble in ethanol and toluene |
| Purity | |
| Water content | Not more than 2 % (Karl Fischer method) |
| Acid value | Not more than 6 |
| Free glycerol | Not more than 7 % |
| Polyglycerols | Not more than 4 % diglycerol and not more than 1 % higher polyglycerols both based on total glycerol content |
| Arsenic | Not more than 3 mg/kg |
| Lead | Not more than 5 mg/kg |
| Mercury | Not more than 1 mg/kg |
| Cadmium | Not more than 1 mg/kg |
| Heavy metals (as Pb) | Not more than 10 mg/kg |
| Total glycerol | Not less than 16 % and not more than 33 % |
| Sulphated ash | Not more than 0,5 % determined at 800 ± 25 oC |
