Polysorbate
2679683
218460351
2008-06-10T19:20:59Z
64.140.251.226
'''Polysorbates''' are a class of [[emulsifier]]s used in some pharmaceuticals and food preparation. They are often used in cosmetics to solubilize [[essential oil]]s into water-based products. Polysorbates are oily liquids derived from [[polyethylene glycol|PEG]]-ylated [[sorbitan]] (a derivative of [[sorbitol]]) [[ester]]ified with [[fatty acid]]s. [[Surfactant]]s that are esters of plain (non-PEG-ylated) sorbitan with fatty acids are usually referred to by the name Span.
==Examples==
*[[Polysorbate 20]] (Tween 20 or polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate)
*[[Polysorbate 40]] (Tween 40 or polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monopalmitate)
*[[Polysorbate 60]] (Tween 60 or polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monostearate)
*[[Polysorbate 80]] (Tween 80 or polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate)
The number 20 following the ''polyoxyethylene'' part refers to the total number of oxyethylene -(CH<sub>2</sub>CH<sub>2</sub>O)- groups found in the molecule. The number following the ''polysorbate'' part is related to the type of fatty acid associated with the polyoxyethylene sorbitan part of the molecule. [[Lauric acid|Monolaurate]] is indicated by 20, [[palmitic acid|monopalmitate]] is indicated by 40, [[stearic acid|monostearate]] by 60 and [[oleic acid|monooleate]] by 80. The same numbering is followed in their Span equivalents (Span 20, Span 40, Span 60 and Span 80).
==See also==
*[[sorbitan monolaurate|Span 20]] (Sorbitan monolaurate)
*[[sorbitan monopalmitate|Span 40]] (Sorbitan monopalmitate)
*[[sorbitan monostearate|Span 60]] (Sorbitan monostearate)
*[[sorbitan tristearate|Span 65]] (Sorbitan tristearate)
*[[sorbitan monooleate|Span 80]] (Sorbitan monooleate)
[[Category:Surfactants]]
[[Category:Food additives]]
[[Category:Colloidal chemistry]]
{{ingredient-stub}}
{{organic-chemistry-stub}}
[[nl:polysorbaat]]