Processed
Propylene Glycol
Propylene glycol is a clear, slightly sweet, low-viscosity polyol used in foods as a humectant, solvent for flavours, colours, and some extracts, and as a carrier that keeps soft products pliable. Food-grade material is highly purified and distinct from industrial antifreeze formulations that may contain other glycols or denaturants. It holds moisture with less stickiness than heavy glycerol doses and dissolves many oil-soluble aroma compounds better than water alone. Overuse can leave a faintly chemical or warming aftertaste. Typical culinary contact is via commercial flavourings rather than bulk kitchen bottles. Always specify food-grade USP/FCC material when formulating.
Also known as: E1520, Propane-1,2-diol (E1520), Propylene glycol, PG food grade, Puropiren gurikoru
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Characteristics
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Nutrition and pairings
Nutrition
Typical values per 100 g edible portion. Nutrient names open the reference page.
Nutrition Facts
Per 100 g edible portion
Amount per 100 g
- Total Fat 0 g
- Saturated Fat 0 g
- Trans Fat 0 g
- Monounsaturated Fat 0 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat 0 g
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Sodium 2 mg
- Salt 0.01 g
- Total Carbohydrate 0 g
- Dietary Fibre 0 g
- Total Sugars 0 g
- Complex / starch 0 g
- Protein 0 g
- Water 0.3 g
- Energy 400 kcal
- Water 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates 99.7 g
- Polyols 99.7 g
- Propylene Glycol 99.7 g
- Minerals 2 mg
- Major Minerals 2 mg
- Sodium 2 mg
Minerals
Food-grade propane-1,2-diol is a clear humectant and flavour solvent, not a syrup. It is metabolized (~4 kcal/g) but is not a carbohydrate, sugar, or fat. The 99.7 g is recorded as propylene glycol. Residual water is low; vitamins are absent. Energy 400 kcal/100 g with 0 g protein/fat/carbohydrate is the honest non-food-matrix profile.
History
Propylene glycol was first prepared in laboratory organic synthesis.
Commercial production supplied solvents and early food and pharmaceutical carriers.
Flavour houses adopted propylene glycol as a standard extract and colour solvent.
Global food additive approvals clarified purity grades for humectant and carrier use.