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]]