Glycyrrhizic Acid

Licorice Root Extract Glycyrrhizic Acid

Glycyrrhizic acid, the core component of licorice root extract, is known in Chinese as “甘草酸” (Gancao Suan), also referred to as “甘草甜素” (Gancao Tiansu, Glycyrrhizin) or “甘草皂甙” (Gancao Zaodai, Glycyrrhiza Saponin). It is a natural active ingredient extracted from the rhizome of the licorice plant, characterized by high sweetness, multiple pharmacological activities, and a wide range of applications.

Glycyrrhizic acid has a very broad range of uses, primarily playing a role in the following fields:

**Pharmaceutical Field:** It possesses various biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, antiviral, liver-protective, and immunomodulatory effects. Clinically, it is often used as an adjunctive treatment for hepatitis, eczema, gastric ulcers, etc. Studies have shown that it also has a certain improving effect on fatty liver and obesity.

**Food Industry:** As a multifunctional food additive, it can be used for:

– **Sweetener:** Added to beverages, candies, biscuits, soy sauce, and other foods to provide sweetness and reduce sucrose usage.
– **Flavor Enhancer:** It can enhance flavor and mask the bitterness or astringency of certain saccharin or chemical flavorings.
– **Antioxidant:** Used in oils, fats, and fried foods to prevent oxidative rancidity.
– **Foaming Agent:** Added to beer to increase the persistence of foam.

**Cosmetic Industry:** Added to skincare products, it can exert anti-inflammatory, whitening, and anti-itching effects.