Glycerol, also known as glycerin, is a sweet, syrupy liquid. It naturally occurs when fatty acids combine. Industrially, it's a byproduct of soap making from fats and oils, can be produced by fermenting sugar, or derived from propylene gas. Glycerol has diverse applications as an ingredient in paints, toothpastes, cosmetics, explosives, and certain drugs, and it also functions as a solvent (Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 2025).
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