noun. a sweet colorless, viscous, hygroscopic liquid used as an antifreeze and in brake fluid and also as a humectant in cosmetics and personal care items although it can be absorbed through the skin with harmful effects.
1. Noun, singular or mass However, some species of the bacteria are used commercially to produce ethanol (Clostridium thermocellum) and acetone (Clostridium acetobutylicum), as well as to convert fatty acids to yeasts and propanediol (Clostridium diolis).