glycerol tristearate

7.4

A fat-like ingredient that helps mix oil and water in foods and creams

noun
/ˈɡlɪsəˌrɔl traɪˈstɪrət/

Specialized

: tristearato de glicerol

Glycerol tristearate is commonly used as an emulsifier in processed foods to improve texture.

Examples

Many skin creams contain glycerol tristearate as a stabilizer to maintain consistency.
The laboratory synthesized pure glycerol tristearate for use in cosmetic formulations.
The product contains glycerol tristearate as an emulsifier.
Many cosmetics use glycerol tristearate for better texture.
Glycerol tristearate is commonly used as an emulsifier in processed foods to improve texture.
Many skin creams contain glycerol tristearate as a stabilizer to maintain consistency.
The laboratory synthesized pure glycerol tristearate for use in cosmetic formulations.

Synonyms

tristearin

vsglycerol tristearate

Specialized

9.6

A fat in animal and plant oils made of three stearic acids and glycerol

is used as an emulsifier and stabilizer in foods and cosmetics

Surface Forms

glycerol tristearate singular

glycerol tristearates plural

Morphology

glycerol + tristearate

The compound name follows regular chemical morphology (glycerol + tri- + stearate), so someone with knowledge of chemical naming could infer it is glycerol esterified with three stearate groups. However 'tristearate' and the underlying chemistry are specialized and not transparently understood by an average B1 learner even if they know the word 'glycerol', so prior technical knowledge is needed. Because the parts give partial clues but require domain-specific knowledge, the expression is only partially transparent.

Etymology

Glycerol tristearate is named for its parts: glycerol, a small molecule with three 'arms', and tristearate, meaning three long fatty chains attached to it. Those three fatty 'tails' make it behave like a mild fat that helps oil and water mix, so it is used as a 'emulsifier' and 'stabilizer' in foods and creams.