Humectant

Humectant

A humectant is a hygroscopic substance. It is often a molecule with several hydrophilic groups, most often hydroxyl groups, but amines and carboxyl groups, sometimes esterified, can be encountered as well; the affinity to form hydrogen bonds with molecules of water is crucial here.

Since hygroscopic substances absorb water from the air, they are frequently used in desiccation. When used as a food additive, the humectant has the effect of keeping the foodstuff moist. Humectants are sometimes used as a component of antistatic coatings for plastics. Humectants are also found in many cosmetic products where moisturization is desired, including treatments such as moisturizing hair conditioners. Humectants are also used in the manufacture of some cigarettes.

Examples of humectants include glycerine, propylene glycol (E 1520) and glyceryl triacetate (E1518). Others can be polyols like sorbitol (E420), xylitol and maltitol (E965), or polymeric polyols like polydextrose (E1200) or natural extracts like quillaia (E999), or lactic acid or urea. Lithium chloride is an excellent humectant but is toxic.

ee also

*Desiccant


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  • humectant — ● humectant, humectante adjectif Se dit d une substance cosmétique qui absorbe l eau ou aide une autre substance à retenir l humidité au niveau cutané. ⇒HUMECTANT, ANTE, part. prés. et adj. I. Part. prés. de humecter. II. Adj., MÉD., vx. Qui… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • Humectant — Hu*mec tant, a. [L. humectans, p. pr.] Diluent. n. A diluent drink or medicine. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • humectant — humectant, ante (u mè ktan, ktan t ) adj. Terme de médecine. Qui augmente la liquidité du sang et humecte nos organes. Aliments humectants. Tisanes humectantes.    S. m. pl. Des humectants. HISTORIQUE    XVIe s. •   Bouillons et coulis humectans …   Dictionnaire de la Langue Française d'Émile Littré

  • humectant — [hyo͞o mek′tənt] n. [< L humectans, var. of umectans, prp. of humectare, to moisten < umectus, moist < umere, to be moist: see HUMOR] a substance, as glycerol, added or applied to another to help it retain moisture …   English World dictionary

  • humectant — 1. Moistening. 2. A substance used to obtain a moistening effect ( e.g., glycerin solution). * * * hu·mec·tant hyü mek tənt adj promoting the retention of moisture <humectant properties> <humectant materials> humectant n a substance… …   Medical dictionary

  • humectant — noun Etymology: Latin humectant , humectans, present participle of humectare to moisten, from humectus moist, from humēre to be moist more at humor Date: circa 1867 a substance that promotes retention of moisture • humectant adjective …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • humectant — /hyooh mek teuhnt/ or, often, /yooh /, n. 1. a substance that absorbs or helps another substance retain moisture, as glycerol. adj. 2. moistening; diluting. 3. of or pertaining to a humectant or humectants. [1650 60; < L humectant (s. of… …   Universalium

  • humectant — [hjʊ mɛkt(ə)nt] adjective retaining or preserving moisture. noun a substance, especially a skin lotion or a food additive, used to reduce the loss of moisture. Origin C19: from L. humectant , humectare moisten …   English new terms dictionary

  • humectant — hu•mec•tant [[t]hyuˈmɛk tənt[/t]] often [[t]yu [/t]] n. 1) chem. a substance that absorbs or helps another substance retain moisture, as glycerol 2) moistening; diluting • Etymology: 1650–60; < L hūmectant , s. of (h)ūmectāns, prp. of… …   From formal English to slang

  • humectant — drėkiklis statusas T sritis chemija apibrėžtis Higroskopinė medžiaga, palaikanti reikiamą mišinio ar juo padengto paviršiaus drėgnumą. atitikmenys: angl. humectant rus. увлажнитель …   Chemijos terminų aiškinamasis žodynas

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