- Food Industry
- Sweetener: Used as a low-calorie sweetener in various food products, including baked goods, candies, and beverages.
- Humectant: Acts as a moisture-retaining agent, helping to maintain freshness and texture in products like cakes, cookies, and pastries.
- Preservative: Extends shelf life by preventing the growth of microorganisms in food products.
- Pharmaceuticals
- Solvent: Commonly used as a solvent in liquid formulations, such as syrups and elixirs.
- Moisturizer: Included in creams, ointments, and gels for its hydrating properties, providing relief for dry skin.
- Expectorant: Found in cough syrups and throat lozenges for its soothing effects.
- Cosmetics and Personal Care
- Emollient: Used in lotions, creams, and soaps to enhance skin moisture and softness.
- Thickening Agent: Serves as a thickener in shampoos, conditioners, and other personal care products.
- Industrial Applications
- Antifreeze and De-icing Agents: Utilized in automotive antifreeze formulations due to its low freezing point and ability to lower the freezing point of water.
- Plasticizers: Employed in the production of plastics and resins to improve flexibility and durability.
- Biotechnology and Pharmaceuticals
- Cryoprotectant: Used in the preservation of biological samples, such as cells and tissues, by preventing ice crystal formation during freezing.
- Drug Formulation: Acts as an excipient in pharmaceuticals, helping to stabilize and enhance the bioavailability of active ingredients.
- Textiles
- Dyeing and Finishing: Applied in the textile industry to improve the feel and durability of fabrics and to assist in dyeing processes.
- Animal Feed
- Nutritional Additive: Used in animal feed formulations as a source of energy and to enhance palatability.
- Chemical Manufacturing
- Intermediate: Serves as a building block in the synthesis of various chemicals, including propylene glycol and alkyd resins.
- Surfactants and Emulsifiers
- Emulsifying Agent: Utilized in various formulations to stabilize emulsions in products like creams, lotions, and food dressings.
