A water-soluble polymer used to solubilize proteins, and as a cell fusogen.
A polymer that varies in consistency from liquid to solid depending on its molecular weight (indicated by a number following the name). PEGs are used as surfactants in industry (for foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals) and in biomedicine as dispersing agents, solvents, ointment and suppository bases, vehicles, and excipients.
A polymeric compound used to precipitate macromolecules and molecular aggregates.
a softening ingredient used in cosmetic creams.
A condensation polymer of ethylene glycol and water, they are wax like solids available in a variety of molecular weights. PEG 4000 and 6000 are commonly used to promote cell or protoplast fusion, and to facilitate DNA uptake in the transformation of organisms such as yeast. Also used to concentrate solutions by withdrawing water from them via osmosis.
Petrochemicals are listed as glycol, glyceryl, ethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol (PEG) or propylene glycol. PEG 6 caprylic/capric glyceride, derived from palm kernel acid, is used as a moisturizer/emollient--the part to watch out for is the PEG prefix. According to a report in the International Journal of Toxicology, many PEG compunds have been found to be contaminated with ethylene oxide, a known carcinogen. Petroleum-derived ingredients can contain contaminants which may cause allergic and toxic reactions in some individuals, and if that doesn't deter you please be aware that polynuclear aromatics (petroleum hydrocarbons) in general have been linked to skin cancer in epidemiology studies conducted by the WHO. Propylene glycol is ideally a vegetable glycerin mixed with grain alcohol, but too often it is a synthetic petrochemical mix.
Polymer of ethylene oxide and water that is used during the purification process.
a waxy solid that is biologically inert. Because the body does not react to PEG, it can help provide a protective barrier around a protein such as interferon so it can survive in the body longer
(also PEG) Another type of anti-redeposition agent, PEG is a polymer made from ethylene oxide and is similar to some non-ionic detergents. Not considered toxic, it takes large doses to be lethal in animals. However, PEG is slow to degrade and is synthetic.
Polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) are polymers composed of repeating subunits of identical structure, called monomers, and are the most commercially important polyethers. Poly (ethylene glycol) or poly (ethylene oxide) refers to an oligomer or polymer of ethylene oxide. PEG and PEO are liquids or low-melting solids, depending on their molecular weights.
