E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE)

MAGNESIUM STEARATE = Magnesium octadecanoate

CAS Number : 557-04-0 
EC  Number : 209-150-3
ECHA InfoCard    : 100.008.320 
PubChem CID    : 11177
E number    : E470
Chemical formula : C36H70MgO4 or Mg(C18H35O2)2
Molar mass     : 591.27 g/mol    
Appearance     : light white powder
Density             : 1.026 g/cm3
Melting point     : 88.5 °C

E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) is the chemical compound with the formula Mg(C18H35O2)
E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) is a soap, consisting of salt containing two equivalents of stearate (the anion of stearic acid) and one magnesium cation (Mg2+). 
E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) is a white, water-insoluble powder. 
Its applications exploit its softness, insolubility in many solvents, and low toxicity. 
E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) is used as a release agent and as a component or lubricant in the production of pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.

Manufacturing of E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE)
E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) is produced by the reaction of sodium stearate with magnesium salts or by treating magnesium oxide with stearic acid.
Some nutritional supplements specify that the sodium stearate used in manufacturing E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) is produced from vegetable-derived stearic acid.

Uses of E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE)
E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) is often used as an anti-adherent in the manufacture of medical tablets, capsules and powders.
In this regard, E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) is also useful because it has lubricating properties, preventing ingredients from sticking to manufacturing equipment during the compression of chemical powders into solid tablets; magnesium stearate is the most commonly used lubricant for tablets.
However, E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) might cause lower wettability and slower disintegration of the tablets and slower and even lower dissolution of the drug.

E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) can also be used efficiently in dry coating processes.
In the creation of pressed candies, E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) acts as a release agent and E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) is used to bind sugar in hard candies such as mints.
E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) is a common ingredient in baby formulas.
In the EU and EFTA E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) is listed as food additive E470b.

Occurrence of E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE)
E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) is a major component of bathtub rings. 
When produced by soap and hard water, E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) and calcium stearate both form a white solid insoluble in water, and are collectively known as soap scum.

Safety of E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE)
E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) is generally considered safe for human consumption at levels below 2500 mg per kg of body weight per day and is classified in the United States as generally recognized as safe (GRAS). 
In 1979, the FDA's Subcommittee on GRAS Substances (SCOGS) reported, "There is no evidence in the available information on ... E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) ... that demonstrates, or suggests reasonable grounds to suspect, a hazard to the public when they are used at levels that are now current and in the manner now practiced, or which might reasonably be expected in the future."

Use and Manufacturing of E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE)
Used in baby dusting powders; as lubricant for plastics; as emulsifying agent in cosmetics; as drier in paints and varnishes; as flatting agent; as anticaking agent in foods and fire extinguishers; and as lubricant in making pharmaceutical tablets; [HSDB]

E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) is frequently used as a filler material and binder in drug tablets and as either inert binder or emulsification agent in cleansing products and cosmetics, respectively.
E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) is also used to bind sugar in hard candies and is a common ingredient in baby formulas. 
Also used in salts, dry mixes and icing sugar.

Industry Uses of E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE)
-Anti-adhesive agents
-Fillers
-Flame retardants
-Lubricants and lubricant additives
-Processing aids, not otherwise listed

Consumer Uses of E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE)
-Building/construction materials not covered elsewhere
-Commercial Use - Mold Release Compound
-Fabric, textile, and leather products not covered elsewhere
-Intercompany Shipments
-Lubricants and greases
-Nutraceuticals, food products
-Personal care products
-Plastic and rubber products not covered elsewhere
-Use in Pharmaceuticals

Household Products of E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE)
Household & Commercial/Institutional Products
Information on 39 consumer products that contain Magnesium stearate in the following categories is provided:
-Inside the Home
-Personal Care
-Pet Care

General Manufacturing Information
Industry Processing Sectors
-All other chemical product and preparation manufacturing
-Custom compounding of purchased resin
-Food, beverage, and tobacco product manufacturing
-Intercompany Shipments
-Miscellaneous manufacturing
-Petroleum lubricating oil and grease manufacturing
-Pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing
-Plastic material and resin manufacturing
-Plastics product manufacturing
-Rubber product manufacturing
-Textiles, apparel, and leather manufacturing

DEFINITION of E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE)
E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) is a mixture of magnesium salts of different fatty acids consisting mainly of stearic (octadecanoic) acid [(C17H35COO)2Mg] and palmitic (hexadecanoic) acid [(C15H31COO)2 Mg] with minor proportions of other fatty acids. 
E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) contains not less than 4.0 per cent and not more than 5.0 per cent of Mg, calculated with reference to the dried substance. 
The fatty acid fraction contains not less than 40.0 per cent of stearic acid and the sum of stearic acid and palmitic acid is not less than 90.0 per cent.

E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) occurs as a fine, white, bulky powder that is unctuous and free from grittiness. 
E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) is a compound of magnesium with a mixture of solid organic acids obtained from edible sources and consists chiefly of variable proportions of E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) and magnesium palmitate. 
E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) is insoluble in water, in alcohol, and in ether.
Function: Ant caking agent; binder; emulsifier.

E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE), the magnesium salt of stearic acid with the chemical formula Mg(C17H34COO)2. 
Generally, this salt of fatty acid can be used as an anti-caking agent, lubricant, binder, emulsifier, and mineral (magnesium) supplement in food with the European food additives number E470b. 
As stearic acid is commonly sourced from vegetable oils (e.g. soybean oil, palm oil, coconut oil, olive oil and corn oil.), so this ingredient can be vegan.
E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) is widely used as a lubricant in the pharmaceutical tablets and capsules due to the properties of strong lubrication, light-weight, and good adhesion. 
E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) can also be used in the production of cosmetics, paints and plastics.

E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) exists as a salt containing two stearate anions and a magnesium cation. 
Totally there are 36 carbons in length of molecule structure.
E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) is a multifunctional ingredient that has wide uses in food supplements, powdered cosmetics, pharmaceutical tablets & capsules, and plastic products.
E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) is an anionic surfactant, unlike with another two metallic stearates (sodium and potassium stearate) but similar with calcium stearate, E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) is practically insoluble in water with the solubility 0.004 g/100 mL (25 °C).
Partially soluble in ethanol and ether.

Since stearic acid is a weak organic acid, it cannot directly react with magnesium sulfate to produce E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE). 
In the commercial manufacturing process of E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE), stearic acid should first be saponified with sodium hydroxide solution to obtain sodium stearate, and then react with the solution of magnesium sulfate or magnesium chloride to synthesize E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE).

The following are the brief three above mentioned processes:

C17H35COOH + NaOH → C17H35COONa + H2O
2C17H35COONa + MgSO4 → (C17H35COO)2 Mg + Na2SO4
2C17H35COONa + MgCl2 → (C17H35COO)2 Mg + 2NaCl

With both characteristics of metal salt and stearic acid. The lubricity and hydrophobicity are derived from stearic acid.
Stable, but will be decomposed into stearic acid and magnesium salt in case of a strong acid.
A large specific surface area, with strong adsorption and hygroscopicity, a slippery feeling in contact with the skin and is easy to stick to the skin.
E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) is an anionic surfactant, unlike with another two metallic stearates (sodium and potassium stearate) but similar with calcium stearate. 

E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) is practically insoluble in water with the solubility 0.004 g/100 mL (25 °C).
Partially soluble in ethanol and ether.
The divalent Mg2+ can bind two nonpolar fatty acid molecules while Na+ and K+ as monovalent ions can only combine with one fatty acid.
Two fatty acid molecules protect Mg2+ from interacting with the water molecules and thus make E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) insoluble in water.  

E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) exists as a salt containing two stearate anions and a magnesium cation. 
Totally there are 36 carbons in length of molecule structure.
E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) is a multifunctional ingredient that has wide uses in food supplements, powdered cosmetics, pharmaceutical tablets & capsules, and plastic products.
E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE)'s food grade can be used as a flow agent & anti-caking agent, lubricant, magnesium supplement in dietary food supplement.
E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) is often used in the production of vitamin or multivitamin tablets or capsules by serving as a flow agent that binds with other ingredients from sticking and clumping to machine surfaces during production.

The following food may contain this additive:
-Vitamins
-Confectionery
-Chewing gum
-Candies
-Mints
-Baby formulas
-Herbs and spices
-Baking ingredients

The major uses of E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) are as a lubricant, anti-adhesion agent, and glidant in the manufacturing of pharmaceuticals tablets and capsules. 
E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE)'s role is as an excipient (inactive ingredient) and the main function in the formulation of tablets and capsules is to:
-Prevent other ingredients in the formulation from sticking to compress equipment.
-Enable them to flow smoothly during the compression of chemical powders into solid tablets. 
-Help improve the consistency and quality control of final products.

The compression properties of tablets are also called compressibility, which refers to the compactness and firmness of the raw materials in the compression process.
The compressibility of the tablet is not only related to the properties of the raw material itself, but is also affected by the compression process and the properties of the additional materials, such as lubricants.
A lubricant can reduce the binding force between particles and weaken the hardness of the tablet. 

In the production of powdered cosmetics (e.g. talcum powder makeup), E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) is often added to improve the adhesion of powders, and make them smooth on the skin surface, and easily adhere to the skin.
In addition, E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) is often used as a thickener and emollient in cosmetics and personal care products.
Commonly used adhesives are zinc stearate, E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE), and aluminum stearate. 
These metal salts of stearic acid are wrapped outside other powder particles after added, making the powdered cosmetics not permeable to water. 
E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) and zinc stearate are commonly used in this field as aluminum stearate is a little rough, while calcium stearate lacks smoothness. 

In plastic products, E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) is a heat stabilizer for polyvinyl chloride, and also a mold release agent and external smoothing agent.
E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) can be used as a lubricant & release agent, a nutrient supplement, and a processing aid in food with no limitation other than current good manufacturing practice. 
Magnesium salts of fatty acids with E-Number 470 are a compound containing magnesium and fatty acids. 
E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) can be palmitic and stearic acids or animal fatty acids. 
At room temperature E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) is a white, tasteless and odourless powder. 

The substance is also known as E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE).  
Magnesium salts of fatty acids are a filler that helps bind active ingredients together in tablets and capsules.
They do not behave differently in the body than other dietary fats do. 
There is therefore no legal restriction on how much can be consumed. 
E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) of fatty acids can come from both animal and vegetable sources.

E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) appears as bright white soft powder with the industrial products containing a small amount of oleic acid and 7% magnesium oxide and is odorless and tasteless. 
E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) is slightly soluble in water and soluble in hot ethanol. soft, light white powder(s); odorless, tasteless; nonflammable used in baby dusting powder(s) and as tablet lubricant.
E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) is a very fine, light white, precipitated or milled, impalpable powder of low bulk density, having a faint odor of stearic.

E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE), also called octadecanoic acid, magnesium salt, is a white substance which is solid at room temperature. 
Widely regarded as harmless, E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) is often used as a filling agent in the manufacture of medical pills as a binder.
 In this regard, the substance is also useful because E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) has lubricating properties, preventing ingredients from sticking to manufacturing equipment during the compression of chemical powders into solid pills.

E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) is a white powder composed of magnesium stearate with fatty acids from vegetable origin. 
Also referred as food additive E470, E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) is ideal for use in functional food & beverage and nutritional supplement applications.
E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) is a fatty acid, salt-type anionic surfactant with its appearance being white powder with a creamy feeling. 
E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) is a compound of magnesium with a mixture of solid organic acids obtained from edible sources and consists chiefly of variable proportions of magnesium stearate and magnesium palmitate.
E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) appears as bright white soft powder with the industrial products containing a small amount of oleic acid and 7% magnesium oxide and is odorless and tasteless. 
E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) is slightly soluble in water and soluble in hot ethanol.

E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) is prepared either by the interaction of aqueoussolutions of magnesium chloride with sodium stearate or by theinteraction of magnesium oxide, hydroxide, or carbonate withstearic acid at elevated temperatures.
E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) has been widely used for many decades in the food industry as an emulsifier, binder and thickener, as well as an anticaking, lubricant, release, and antifoaming agent. 
E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) is present in many food supplements, confectionery, chewing gum, herbs and spices, and baking ingredients. 
E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) is also commonly used as an inactive ingredient in the production of pharmaceutical tablets, capsules and powders. 
The main reason for E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE)'s good lubricating properties is its hydrophobic nature and an ability to reduce friction between tablets and die wall during the ejection process.

E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) can be regarded as being non-toxic, the United States, Germany and Japan allow it to be applied to products being contact with food. 
However, E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) doesn’t have wide application to be applied as PVC heat stabilizers. 
In China and some other countries Pharmacopoeia, there are always records of this specie. 
The pharmacopeia has also made provisions on the magnesium content, moisture, heavy metals, iron, sulfate and chloride content.
E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) is a widely used excipient in drugs and herbal remedies. 
E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) has been used for many years without any safety concern. 

E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE), also called octadecanoic acid, is a white powder which becomes solid at room temperature. 
E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) has the chemical formula Mg(C18H35O2)2. 
E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) is a magnesium salt of stearic acid. 
E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) is a salt containing two equivalents of stearate (the anion of stearic acid) and one magnesium cation (Mg2+).

E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) is widely used as a diluent in the manufacture of medical tablets, capsules and powders. 
E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) has lubricating properties, preventing ingredients from sticking to manufacturing equipment during the compression of powders into solid tablets; E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) is the most commonly used lubricant for tablets and E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) is widely used in the manufacture of herbal remedies and other supplement. 
E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) is also used to bind sugar in hard candies like mints, and is a common ingredient in baby formulas.

E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) is usually manufactured from vegetable oils. 
Stearates can be produced by hydrogenation although some supplement manufacturers claim that they use magnesium stearate derived from non-hydrogenated, non-GM palm oil.
The commonly-used sources of E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) is  palm oil and cottonseed oil after hydrogenation. 
Hydrogenated oils are a common source of E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE)  in tablets. 
Hydrogenation creates a hydrogenated partially saturated fat.

E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) may or may not be vegan. 
Also known as Magnesium Stearate, E470 is a Magnesium Salt of Stearic Acid with applications in cosmetics, food products, infant formulas and medicinal pills.

Substance identity

EC / List no.: 209-150-3
CAS no.: 557-04-0
Mol. formula: C18H36O2.1/2Mg

Hazard classification & labelling of E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE) 
Warning! According to the classification provided by companies to ECHA in CLP notifications E 470 (MAGNESIUM STEARATE)  may cause long lasting harmful effects to aquatic life, causes serious eye irritation, may cause respiratory irritation and causes skin irritation.

Synonyms:
MAGNESIUM STEARATE
557-04-0
Magnesium distearate
Magnesium octadecanoate
Octadecanoic acid, magnesium salt
Dibasic magnesium stearate
magnesium(ii) stearate
Stearic acid, magnesium salt
magnesium dioctadecanoate
UNII-70097M6I30
CHEBI:9254
Synpro 90
70097M6I30
Petrac MG 20NF
NS-M (salt)
SM-P
Synpro Magnesium Stearate 90
HSDB 713
EINECS 209-150-3
Magnesium distearate, pure
NP 1500
SM 1000
Magnesium stearate [JAN:NF]
AI3-01638
Magnesii stearas
Magnesium stearate g
MFCD00036391
Magnesium Stearate NF
Octadecanoic acid, magnesium salt (2:1)
SCHEMBL935
Rashayan Magnesium Stearate
C36H70MgO4
octadecanoic acid magnesium salt
Magnesium stearate (JP17/NF)
CHEMBL2106633
DTXSID2027208
Stearic Acid Magnesium(II) Salt
AKOS015915201
DB14077
H416
FT-0602789
S0238
D02189
A830764
Q416713
UNII-R4OXA9G5BV component HQKMJHAJHXVSDF-UHFFFAOYSA-L
Dibasic magnesium stearate
Magnesium distearate
Magnesium distearate
magnesium distearate
Magnesium distearate, pure
Magnesium octadecanoate
Magnesium stearate
NS-M (salt)
Octadecanoic acid, magnesium salt
Octadecanoic acid, magnesium salt (2:1)
Petrac MG 20NF
SM 1000
SM-P
Stearic acid, magnesium salt
Synpro 90
Synpro Magnesium Stearate 90
magnesium bis(octadecanoate)
magnesium dioctadecanoate
Magnesium distearate
magnesium distearate
Magnesium octadecanoate
magnesium octadecanoate
Magnesium Octadeconoate
MAGNESIUM STEARATE
Magnesium stearate
magnesium stearate
Magnesium stearate
magnesium(2+) dioctadecanoate
magnesium(2+) ion bis(octadecanoate)
Magnesium(II) Stearate
magnesium;octadecanoate
Magnézium-sztearát
Octadecanoic acid, magnesium salt
Stearic acid, magnesium salt
212132-26-8
557-04-0