Upon first inspection, glycerol and mineral oil appear to be identical (or at least very similar) compounds: They're both colorless, (mostly) odorless, and have mild lubricating properties that make them feel slippery when rubbed between the thumb and index finger. Chemically, however, they are very different compounds.
Mineral oil is a hydrocarbon, meaning it contains nothing except carbon and hydrogen, with each molecule typically containing somewhere between 15 and 40 carbon atoms. It typically has a density of about 0.8 g/mL (meaning 1 millileter of mineral oil would weigh 0.8 grams). Mineral oil is not soluble in water: If the two are mixed, they will form separate phases, with the mineral oil on top.
Glycerol, also known as glycerin or glycerine, is actually an alcohol. Its molecules only contain 3 carbons, and it has a density of about 1.3 g/mL. Unlike mineral oil, it is soluble in water. In fact, it is hygroscopic, meaning glycerol will actually absorb water vapor from the air.
Mineral oil is a byproduct of the crude-oil refining process.
Glycerol is produced by the saponification of animal fats. Saponification is the reaction between fats and strong bases (like lye) and is the primary reaction involved in the manufacture of soap; glycerol is a byproduct of the soap manufacturing process.
Mineral oil is the primary ingredient of baby oil. It can also be taken orally as a laxative.
Glycerol is used in cough syrup (as a sweetener and thickener) and acts as a laxative in suppository form.
Food and Cosmetic Uses
Mineral oil is used in many topical creams and ointments.
Glycerol is used in foods as a sweetener and as a humectant (to keep foods moist). It is also used in toothpaste, shaving cream and soap.
Some mineral oils have been linked to cancer in animal studies involving exposure to oil mists.
Glycerol is not carcinogenic and is not believed to be toxic unless ingested in large quantities.
Glycerol na mafuta ya madini yanaonekana kuwa sawa (au angalau sawa sana) - wote ni bila rangi, (kwa ujumla) bila harufu, na wana mali ya kupaka mafuta ya kupendeza ambayo hufanya kuhisi kuteleza wakati wa kutikisa kati ya kidole gumba na kidole cha kiashiria. Hata hivyo, kimetokana na kemikali tofauti sana. Mafuta ya madini ni hidrokarboni, ambayo inamaanisha kuwa haina kitu isipokuwa kaboni na hidrojeni, na kila molekuli kwa kawaida ina kati ya atomu 15 na 40 za kaboni. Kwa kawaida, mafuta hayo huwa na unene wa gm2 (mgamu mmoja wa mafuta ya madini unazidi uzito wa gramu 0.8). Mafuta ya madini hayawezi kuyeyuka katika maji: Ikiwa hayo mawili yamechanganywa, yatakuwa katika hatua tofauti, na mafuta ya madini juu. Glycerol, pia inajulikana kama glycerin au glycerine, kwa kweli ni pombe. Molekuli yake ina kaboni tatu tu na inazidi gm3 kwa ml. Tofauti na mafuta ya madini, huyeyuka katika maji. Kwa kweli, ni hygroscopic, maana glycerol kweli kunyonya mvuke wa maji kutoka hewa. Mafuta ya madini ni bidhaa ya ziada ya mchakato wa kusafisha mafuta yasiyosafishwa. Glycerol hutokezwa kwa sabuni ya mafuta ya wanyama. Sabonification ni athari kati ya mafuta na misingi imara (kama lye) na ni athari ya msingi inayohusika katika utengenezaji wa sabuni; glycerol ni bidhaa ya mchakato wa utengenezaji wa sabuni. Mafuta ya madini ndiyo kiungo kikuu cha mafuta ya watoto. Pia inaweza kutumiwa kwa mdomo kama dawa ya kuondoa uvimbe. Glycerol hutumiwa katika syrup ya kikohozi (kama sweetener na thickener) na hufanya kazi kama laxative katika fomu ya suppository. Matumizi ya Chakula na Vipodozi Mafuta ya madini hutumiwa katika krimu na mafuta mengi ya kawaida. Glycerol hutumiwa katika vyakula kama kiamsha-sufuria na kama kichocheo (kuhifadhi unyevu wa vyakula). Pia hutumiwa katika dawa za meno, krimu ya kunyoa na sabuni. Mafuta fulani ya madini yamehusianishwa na kansa katika uchunguzi wa wanyama uliohusisha kuathiriwa na ukungu wa mafuta. Glycerol si kansa na haidhaniwa kuwa na sumu isipokuwa ikinywewa kwa kiasi kikubwa.