Glycerol

Glycerol is a product of fat metabolism. It can be converted to glycerol-3-phosphate in the liver by glycerol kinase. This reaction consumes one molecule of ATP. Glycerol-3-phosphate is then oxidized by glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase to dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP), reducing one molecule of NAD⁺ in the process. Once formed, DHAP can enter glycolysis, as shown in Figure 13.12.

Free glycerol is also produced in synthesis of cardiolipin from phosphatidylglycerol .