Glyceryl Monostearate in Food

June 4, 2024

Glyceryl Monostearate, shortened as GMS is a commonly used food additive which is used extensively for its emulsification capabilities. It is also known as monostearin and is derived from stearic acid to provide emulsification, stabilizing, thickening, and anti-caking properties to the foods to which it is added. For these versatile functions, GMS finds application not only in the food industry, but also other industries including cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and more. However, its applications in food surpass all others, and it is what we will explore in detail in this article.

What Is GMS?

GMS is a type of monoglyceride. These are substances which consist of two hydroxyl groups as well as a long-chain alkyl group. Because of this unique composition, these compounds are very effective emulsifying agents. In essence, gms can enable two inherently incompatible compounds to blend together into a homogenous mixture because it can eliminate the surface tension between fat molecules and water molecules.

As a result of this feature, glyceryl monostearate uses in cosmetics industry has become very common for the creation of products like cold creams, face washes, soaps, eye creams, shampoos, ointments, and more. It makes these products non-greasy, and non-toxic, becoming the ideal addition to the list of ingredients.

Application of GMS

Glyceryl Monostearate is a non-toxic food additive, used in a diverse range of foods including fructose products, ice cream, frozen food products, dairy products, bakery goods, confectionery foods, and more. The wide ranging applications emerge because of gms’s ability to improve the food’s structure, and texture because of not just emulsification benefits, but also its capacity to bind with starch, prevent foods from becoming stale, and prolonging their shelf stability. It can also effectively enhance the glossiness of the foods to which it is added, making them more appetizing. The following are the key applications of GMS in the food sector.

Application In Baked Products

Baked products such as breads, pastries, cakes, and muffins, benefit from the emulsifying properties as well as stabilizing features of GMS powder and other forms of the substance.

For breads and pastries, gms help in conditioning the dough to improve its ability to pass through machines used in its making. Moreover, it helps in improving the texture of the final baked product, while its ability to retain moisture ensures that the breads are soft, with a crisp crust and refined crumb consistency and fluffiness.

For cakes, gms acts as a stabilizing agent which helps in ensuring that the air bubbles in the batter are spread out evenly, and the final product is uniformly light and airy in its texture. Similar to breads, cakes also benefit from the moisture retaining ability which helps in improving the texture and mouthfeel of the baked goods.

Application In Processed Foods

In all kinds of processed foods such as spreads, sauces, sausages, dressings, instant food products, and others glyceryl monostearate uses are found in many processes throughout their production because of their emulsification and stabilizing properties.

Spreads, Sauces, Dressings: For such products, gms acts as the perfect emulsifier, preventing the ingredients from separating from each other. Since these products are made with a combination of oils and water, it becomes a vital component that enables the key ingredients to mix into a homogenous solution which possesses the desired texture, thickness, and viscosity. It allows the products to be easily spreadable, and impacts their consistency as well, imparting a distinctive and enjoyable texture.

Sausages: For products such as sausages, gms becomes a vital ingredient because of its ability to emulsify the mixture of ingredients extruded into the casings without separating. Moreover, it helps in improving the texture and consistency of the product since it binds the ingredients together very well, thereby ensuring that the fats do not seep or leak out of the casings while being cooked. This helps in maintaining the moisture and texture of the sausages.

Snacks: For snacks such as chips, popcorn, and others, gms helps in improving their texture and prolonging their shelf life. Moreover, it prevents the foods from sticking with one another, thereby protecting the crunchy and crispy texture and mouthfeel of the products. Furthermore, its emulsification properties ensure that the flavors and seasonings are thoroughly mixed and evenly distributed throughout the product.

Application In Dairy Products

Dairy products such as cheese, whipped cream, as well as ice cream, are made with the help of glyceryl monostearate in food as a key additive. In these products, its emulsifying qualities play a crucial role.

For ice creams, gms is a vital compound which helps in smoothly blending fats and water contents, ensuring a lump-free and uniform texture of the ice cream. It also helps in eliminating the formation of ice crystals when in storage, ensuring consumers can enjoy a rich velvety texture.

For products like cheese, GMS ensures that the texture and consistency of the cheeses remain unharmed for long durations. It prevents the fat and water molecules from separating, which is especially helpful for melty cheeses that can suffer horribly from component separation. The emulsifying ability helps ensure that the cheese is smooth to slice, and performs exactly as it is supposed to.

Application in Confections

In confectionery products such as chocolates, candies and caramels, glycerol monostearate benefits can be seen in its ability to help control the shape, viscosity, and texture of the products. It prevents the fats and water from separating which is essential for chocolates to prevent them from going bad when melted. Moreover, it adds a unique texture and provides these products their signature sheen. Furthermore, it prevents the sugar from forming crystals, which, if not checked, adds an unpleasant grainy texture to the candies. Regulating these properties helps to deliver a delightful mouthfeel for consumers.

Conclusion

Glyceryl monostearate is an essential kind of food additive which is used for its tremendous emulsification, binding, and stabilizing properties. Across different food categories, these properties help in improving the overall texture, mouthfeel, and shelf life of the products which makes this additive so well-liked by food manufacturers across the world.