Glycine
General Product Information
| Article | Glycine |
| Synonyms | E640(i), Aminoacetic acid, 2-Aminoethanoic acid, Glycocol, Glycic acid, Dicarbamic acid |
| CAS No. | 56-40-6 |
| EEG No. | – |
| EINECS No. | 200-272-2 |
| IMO | – |
| Tariff Code | 29224985 |
| UN No. | – |
| VLG/ADR | – |
Description
Glycine is the smallest and simplest amino acid found naturally in proteins. It plays a crucial role in biochemical processes and is essential for the synthesis of many substances, such as purines and porphyrins. Glycine is used worldwide in various industries because of its versatility and biological properties. It is widely used in the Pharmaceutical Industry, food industry, cosmetics and chemical production.
Characteristics
- Odor: Odorless.
- Hygroscopic: –
- Color: Colorless.
- Grade: Food.
- Solubility: Highly soluble in water.
- Taste: Tasteless.
- Shape: crystalline powder or granule.
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Chemical Structure | C2H5NO2 |
| Molar Weight | 75.07 g/mol |
| Melting Point | 240 °C (at decomposition) |
| Boiling Point | – |
| Density | 1.026 g/cm³ |
| Refractive Index | – |
| pH | Neutral in solution. |
Interessing Links
- Codex Alimentarius (FAO/WHO) – Guidelines and standards for food additives and ingredients.
- European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) – For chemical information and regulations.
- European Food Information Council (EFIC)
- European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) – Information on the safety and uses of food additives and ingredients.
- PubChem – Glycine – Chemical information by the National Library of Medicine of the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NIH-NCBI).
- Wikipedia – Glycine
Applications
Glycine is applied in various ways, for instance:
1. Food Industry
Glycine is added as a food additive (E640(i)) to food products such as gelatin, candy, meat, dairy products and beverages. It is often used as a flavor enhancer and as a source of amino acids.
2. Pharmaceutical Industry
Glycine is used as an ingredient in the production of drugs, particularly as a stabilizer in injections, infusions and oral preparations. It may also serve as an excipient in the formulation of certain drugs.
3. Cosmetic Industry
Glycine is widely used in skin care products because of its moisturizing properties. It is added to creams, lotions and shampoos to soften and nourish the skin.
4. Chemical Industry
Glycine is used in the production of plastics, biochemicals, and as an intermediate in the synthesis of other chemicals, such as glycine-glycine dipeptides.
5. Agriculture
Glycine is added to animal feeds and is also used in some pesticides.