Glycerol

Glycerol, also referred to as glycerin or 1,2,3-propanetriol, is a remarkably versatile compound with its three hydroxyl groups, enabling strong solubility in water and rendering it hygroscopic. This simple but widely accessible substance has multifaceted applications, serving as both a carbon source and a precursor in diverse chemical and biological processes. In the realm of biotechnology, glycerol is an indispensable resource for various microorganisms, allowing them to produce a wide array of bioproducts when used as the sole carbon and energy source. Furthermore, glycerol finds extensive utility in sample preparation, where it enhances sample density and guards against freezing.Glycerol′s significance transcends biotechnology as it excels in sample preparation, such as electrophoresis gel creation. Concentrations of 5% to 10% glycerol are deployed to heighten sample density, ensuring precise layering at the base of the gel. This versatile compound also aids in casting gradient gels and acts as a stabilizer for proteins while playing a pivotal role in storage buffers. It is also a favored choice for enzyme concentration and storage, effectively preventing protein back-diffusion into the buffer. In the context of cell culture, glycerol proves its worth as a cryoprotectant, lowering the freezing point of the culture medium and shielding cells from ice crystal damage during -80°C freezing and storage.Glycerol plays a crucial role in sample preservation and storage in the field of biochemical research. Freezing bacterial cultures alone can have detrimental effects, resulting in dehydration and protein denaturation due to ice crystal formation. By incorporating glycerol, these issues are mitigated, ensuring the effective preservation of bacterial cultures. Storing bacterial cultures in glycerol stocks ensures stability, preventing harm to cell membranes and maintaining cell viability, thus enabling long-term storage. In the context of laboratory research, the preservation of sample integrity is paramount, and glycerol′s role in this process is instrumental, especially when stored in Ultra-low Temperature Freezers at -80°C to maintain sample integrity and ensure their suitability for extensive analysis and research.

Glycerol has been used

• as a cryoprotectant in the sample medium for research related to plant physiology
• as an optical clearing agent in a study about harmonic generation microscopy

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