Glycyrrhizic Acid
Sweeteners
Flavoring Agents
1405-86-3
C₄₂H₆₂O₁₆
$54.11 ~ $81.16
Food
Free sample from 100g(NF)
One unit of:25kg/barrel
One unit of:25kg/barrel
25kg/barrel
Product Info
What is Glycyrrhizic Acid?
Glycyrrhizic acid is an intensely sweet triterpene glycoside extracted from the licorice root, primarily used as a non-nutritive sweetener, flavor enhancer, and bitterness masking agent in food, beverages, and pharmaceuticals.
How is Glycyrrhizic Acid made?
| Step No. | Production Stage | Key Action | Control Point & Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raw Material Preparation | Source, clean, and crush high-quality licorice roots (Glycyrrhiza spp.). | Root species and quality are critical for yield. Control moisture content (<10%) and powder particle size for efficient extraction. |
| 2 | Aqueous Extraction | Extract the active compounds from the powdered root using a hot aqueous alkaline solution (e.g., dilute ammonia water). | Control extraction temperature (80-90°C), time, and solid-to-liquid ratio. The alkaline pH significantly increases the solubility of glycyrrhizic acid. |
| 3 | Filtration & Clarification | Separate the liquid extract from the solid plant residue using a filter press or centrifuge. | Ensure high clarity of the filtrate. Complete removal of insoluble matter is crucial to prevent contamination in the final product. |
| 4 | Acidification & Precipitation | Add an acid (e.g., sulfuric acid) to the clear extract to lower the pH, causing the glycyrrhizic acid to precipitate out of the solution. | Target pH of 2.0-3.0 is the most critical control point. Slow, controlled acid addition ensures selective precipitation and maximizes yield. |
| 5 | Crude Product Separation | Collect the precipitated crude product from the liquid slurry via centrifugation or filtration. | The crude cake should be washed with acidified water to remove soluble impurities before the next purification step. |
| 6 | Purification | Re-dissolve the crude product in an alkaline solution, decolorize with activated carbon if needed, filter, and then re-precipitate with acid. | This purification cycle may be repeated to achieve the desired purity. It is essential for removing color, resins, and other impurities. |
| 7 | Final Washing & Drying | Wash the purified precipitate with purified water until neutral and then dry it under vacuum at a controlled temperature. | Washing removes residual acid and salts. Control drying temperature to prevent thermal degradation and achieve a final moisture content below 8%. |
| 8 | Milling and Sieving | Mill the dried Glycyrrhizic Acid to a fine powder and sieve it to ensure a uniform particle size. | Control the final particle size distribution to meet customer specifications for solubility and handling. |
| 9 | Quality Control & Packaging | Conduct final analysis (e.g., HPLC for purity/assay, heavy metals, microbiology) and package the product in airtight, light-resistant containers. | The final product must meet all specifications as per relevant standards (e.g., USP, EP). The assay of Glycyrrhizic Acid is the ultimate quality check. |
Technical Specifications
| CAS Number | 1405-86-3 |
| Chemical Formula | C₄₂H₆₂O₁₆ |
| Solubility | Slightly soluble in water (1–10 g/L); better in salt/ammonium forms |
| Storage Conditions | Store cool, dry, sealed |
| Shelf Life | 24 Months |
Applications & Usage
Common Applications:
Flavor in candies
beverages
tobacco
pharmaceuticals
emulsifier or gelling aid in foods/cosmetics
Mechanism of action:
| Parameter | Glycyrrhizic Acid |
|---|---|
| Functional Category | High-Intensity Sweetener; Flavor Enhancer; Masking Agent; Surfactant. |
| Key Ingredients | Glycyrrhizic acid (Glycyrrhizin); common salts such as Monoammonium Glycyrrhizinate (MAG) or Dipotassium Glycyrrhizinate. |
| Mechanism of Action | Interacts with specific sites on the T1R2/T1R3 sweet taste receptors to elicit a sweet sensation approximately 50 times more potent than sucrose. The triterpenoid saponin structure modifies flavor perception by potentiating other flavors and masking undesirable bitter or metallic notes. Its amphiphilic nature allows it to act as a surfactant, reducing surface tension and stabilizing foams in aqueous systems. |
| Application Effect in Product | Imparts an intense, lingering sweetness with a distinct licorice flavor profile. Reduces the need for sugar while enhancing overall flavor in beverages, confectionery, and tobacco. Effectively masks bitterness from other sweeteners (e.g., stevia) or functional ingredients. Creates and maintains a stable foam head in products like root beer and other carbonated beverages. |
Comparison:
| Product Name | Category/Type | Key Features | Strengths (vs peers) | Weaknesses (vs peers) | Best Use Cases | Why Choose |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glycyrrhizic Acid | Natural Triterpenoid Saponin | Potent anti-inflammatory, anti-irritant, skin soothing, natural sweetener. | Strong anti-inflammatory action, often compared to mild corticosteroids; dual-use as a flavor agent. | Poor water solubility, making it difficult to formulate in aqueous solutions; potential systemic side effects with high oral intake. | Topical treatments for eczema and dermatitis; oral care products for flavor masking and soothing. | For a powerful, natural anti-inflammatory effect in oil-based or emulsified formulas. |
| Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate | Salt of Glycyrrhizic Acid | Anti-inflammatory, soothing, sebum regulation, tyrosinase inhibitor (skin brightening). | Excellent water solubility and stability, making it very easy to incorporate into cosmetic formulas. | Considered slightly less potent than the parent acid on a weight basis, though formulation ease often compensates. | Water-based serums, toners, cleansers, and treatments for sensitive, red, or acne-prone skin. | When seeking the benefits of licorice root in a user-friendly, water-soluble form for broad cosmetic applications. |
| Bisabolol | Natural Sesquiterpene Alcohol | Anti-inflammatory, anti-irritant, antimicrobial, enhances skin penetration. | Effective at very low concentrations; helps other active ingredients penetrate the skin more effectively. | Oil-soluble, limiting its use in purely water-based formulas; has a characteristic faint scent. | Products for sensitive skin, after-sun care, baby care, and formulations where enhancing other actives is desired. | For gentle yet effective soothing, especially when combined with other active ingredients whose efficacy you want to boost. |
| Allantoin | Heterocyclic Amide | Soothing, moisturizing, keratolytic (softens skin), promotes cell proliferation and healing. | Very safe, cost-effective, and multifunctional; actively promotes wound healing and skin smoothing beyond just calming. | Limited water solubility (approx. 0.5%), which can be a constraint for achieving high concentrations in clear solutions. | Moisturizers, scar treatments, anti-acne products, exfoliants, and creams for rough or damaged skin. | For an affordable, reliable ingredient that both soothes irritation and actively helps repair and regenerate skin tissue. |
| Centella Asiatica Extract | Botanical Extract | Wound healing, anti-inflammatory, stimulates collagen synthesis, antioxidant. | Provides comprehensive skin repair benefits beyond simple soothing; strong clinical backing for barrier repair. | Potency and composition can vary widely depending on the extract's source and processing (e.g., % of madecassoside). | Barrier repair creams, post-procedure treatments, anti-aging serums, and products for compromised skin. | For holistic skin recovery, particularly when addressing a damaged skin barrier or looking for anti-aging co-benefits. |
| Beta-Glucan | Polysaccharide | Deeply hydrating, soothing, anti-irritant, antioxidant, promotes skin barrier function. | Excellent humectant properties, often superior to hyaluronic acid in moisture retention; forms a protective film on the skin. | Can have a tacky or heavy feel at higher concentrations; larger molecular size may limit deeper skin penetration. | Serums and moisturizers for dry, dehydrated, or sensitive skin; post-sun or post-peel recovery products. | For intense hydration combined with powerful soothing, especially for stressed or dehydrated skin barriers. |
Technical Documents
Available Documentation
Spec Sheet, CoA, MSDS available
Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
MSDS available
Certificate of Analysis (COA)
Quality assurance documentation
Technical Data Sheet
Detailed technical specifications