glycerol ( glycerin )
A sweet, colorless, syrupy, hygroscopic trihydroxy
alcohol (C 3 H 5 (OH)
3 ), that occurs combined as
glycerides, and is used as a hygroscopic agent in
glue (mainly animal glues) to enable it to remain
relatively soft and flexible. Because it is
hygroscopic, glycerol can actually absorb so much
moisture that mold growths can develop unless an
antiseptic is added along with the softening
agent. The high cost of glycerol has led to the
substitution of other softening agents, such as SORBITOL and
diethylene glycol. (339 )
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