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E432 Polysorbate 20, chemically polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate, is a nonionic surfactant and oil-in-water emulsifier made by ethoxylating sorbitan monolaurate.
E432 Polysorbate 20 is used as an emulsifier, solubilizer, wetting agent, dispersant and stabilizer in food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical and industrial formulations.
E432 Polysorbate 20 has a high HLB of about 16.7, which makes it especially useful for dispersing oils, flavors, fragrances and active ingredients in water-based products.
CAS Number: 9005-64-5
EC Number: 500-018-3
Molecular Formula: C58H114O26
Molecular Weight: 1226 g/mol
Synonyms: Polyoxyethylene Sorbitan Monolaurate, Polyoxyethylene (20) Sorbitan Monolaurate, POE 20 Sorbitan Monolaurate, PEG-20 Sorbitan Monolaurate, Polysorbate 20, Polysorbata 20, Sorbimacrogol Laurate 300, Polyethylene Glycol 2000 Sorbitan Laurate, E-432, INS 432, FEMA No. 2915, Tween 20, Tween-20, Kolliphor PS 20, Montanox 20, Alkest TW 20, Kotilen-20, Emsorb 6915, CAS 9005-64-5
E432 Polysorbate 20 is a derivative of sorbitol and lauric acid, formed by ethoxylation of sorbitan monolaurate.
E432 Polysorbate 20 carries 20 polyethylene glycol repeat units, which in practice are distributed across four chains, so the commercial product contains a range of chemical species.
E432 Polysorbate 20 is an emulsifier that helps bind together substances that do not normally mix, such as fats and water.
E432 Polysorbate 20 belongs to the polysorbate family of nonionic surfactants used in many commercial, household and pharmaceutical products.
E432 Polysorbate 20 is a clear, light yellow to amber, slightly viscous liquid with a mild characteristic odor and the formula C58H114O26.
E432 Polysorbate 20 is soluble or dispersible in water.
E432 Polysorbate 20 is stable and relatively nontoxic, which allows it to be used as a detergent and emulsifier in many domestic, scientific and pharmacological applications.
E432 Polysorbate 20 is also used in cosmetics under the INCI name Polysorbate 20, with similar functions in pharmaceuticals, food, agricultural chemicals and household and industrial cleaners.
Uses of E432 Polysorbate 20:
E432 Polysorbate 20 is used in the food industry as an emulsifier, stabilizer and thickening agent.
E432 Polysorbate 20 is used in sauces, dressings, ice creams, margarines and creams to ensure consistency and prevent ingredients from separating.
E432 Polysorbate 20 improves texture, stabilizes emulsions and helps distribute flavors or oils in food.
E432 Polysorbate 20 is a wetting agent in flavored mouth drops, giving a spreading feeling to ingredients such as SD alcohol and mint flavor.
E432 Polysorbate 20 solubilizes essential oils and fragrances in water-based cosmetic formulations.
E432 Polysorbate 20 is also used as a viscosity modifier for shampoo and as a cosmetic emulsifier.
E432 Polysorbate 20 is an excipient that stabilizes emulsions and suspensions in pharmaceutical products.
E432 Polysorbate 20 acts as a lubricant in ophthalmic solutions.
E432 Polysorbate 20 is used as a washing agent in immunoassays such as Western blots and ELISAs, where it helps prevent non-specific antibody binding.
E432 Polysorbate 20 is dissolved in Tris-buffered or phosphate-buffered saline at 0.05% to 0.5% v/v and used for washes between immunoreactions and for incubating labeled antibody solutions to reduce nonspecific background.
E432 Polysorbate 20 saturates binding sites on surfaces, for example to coat polystyrene microplates, generally combined with proteins such as BSA.
E432 Polysorbate 20 stabilizes purified protein derivative (PPD) solution used in skin testing for tuberculosis exposure.
E432 Polysorbate 20 is a solubilizing agent for membrane proteins.
E432 Polysorbate 20 is used for lysing mammalian cells at 0.05% to 0.5% v/v, generally combined with other detergents, salts and additives.
E432 Polysorbate 20 is used as a solvent for paints, a stabilizer for foam plastics, an auxiliary agent for photographic emulsions, an antistatic synergist in spinning oil and a fiber processing aid.
E432 Polysorbate 20 is used as a mineral oil emulsifier, a dispersing agent and an antistatic agent.
E432 Polysorbate 20 is used in many brands of baby wipes.
E432 Polysorbate 20 is used by philatelists to remove stamps from envelopes and residues from stamps without harming the stamp.
E432 Polysorbate 20 is a wetting agent in rubber balers in the elastomer industry.
E432 Polysorbate 20 has been used as a shape-directing agent to synthesize spheroidal magnetite nanoassemblies.
Benefits or Advantages of E432 Polysorbate 20:
E432 Polysorbate 20 has a high HLB of about 16–17, which suits it to oil-in-water emulsification and solubilization.
E432 Polysorbate 20 can emulsify fats, which helps maintain a homogeneous consistency in products containing both aqueous and fatty ingredients.
E432 Polysorbate 20 is stable under recommended storage and handling conditions.
The World Health Organization has suggested an acceptable daily intake of 0–25 mg per kg body weight for polyoxyethylene sorbitan esters, which include E432 Polysorbate 20.
Features of E432 Polysorbate 20:
E432 Polysorbate 20 is a clear, light yellow to amber viscous liquid with a mild characteristic odor.
E432 Polysorbate 20 has a density of about 1.08–1.1 g/cm³ and a viscosity of 0.3–0.5 Pa·s at 25 °C.
E432 Polysorbate 20 has a pH of 5.0–7.0 in a 5% aqueous solution.
E432 Polysorbate 20 has a boiling point above 100 °C, a flash point above 150 °C and a melting point of about 0 °C.
E432 Polysorbate 20 has a critical micelle concentration (CMC) of 8.04×10⁻⁵ M at 21 °C.
E432 Polysorbate 20 is nonionic and has an HLB of 16.7.
Chemical Properties of E432 Polysorbate 20:
E432 Polysorbate 20 is a polyoxyethylene sorbitan ester of lauric acid (C12) with the formula C58H114O26.
E432 Polysorbate 20 is formed by ethoxylation of sorbitan monolaurate, which leaves the molecule with 20 ethylene oxide units.
E432 Polysorbate 20 may react with strong oxidizing agents, strong acids and strong bases.
E432 Polysorbate 20 thermal decomposition or combustion may produce carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and irritating organic fumes.
Production of E432 Polysorbate 20:
E432 Polysorbate 20 is produced by ethoxylation of sorbitan monolaurate, which is the ester of sorbitol-derived sorbitan and lauric acid.
E432 Polysorbate 20 is supplied in original sealed containers or suitable HDPE or plastic packaging.
SDS of E432 Polysorbate 20:
Stability and Reactivity of E432 Polysorbate 20:
Chemical stability:
E432 Polysorbate 20 is stable under recommended storage and handling conditions.
Reactivity:
E432 Polysorbate 20 is not expected to react dangerously under normal conditions of use.
E432 Polysorbate 20 may react with strong oxidizing agents, strong acids and strong bases.
Conditions to avoid:
E432 Polysorbate 20 should be kept away from excessive heat, open flames and direct sunlight.
E432 Polysorbate 20 should be protected from freezing and contamination.
Incompatible materials:
E432 Polysorbate 20 is incompatible with strong oxidizing agents, strong acids and strong bases.
E432 Polysorbate 20 is incompatible with other reactive chemicals.
Hazardous decomposition products:
E432 Polysorbate 20 may release carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) on thermal decomposition or combustion.
E432 Polysorbate 20 may release irritating organic fumes.
Handling and Storage of E432 Polysorbate 20:
Handling:
E432 Polysorbate 20 should be handled according to good industrial hygiene and safety practice.
E432 Polysorbate 20 should be kept off the eyes, skin and clothing, and mist or aerosols should not be inhaled.
Storage:
E432 Polysorbate 20 should be stored in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, with the container kept tightly closed when not in use.
E432 Polysorbate 20 should be protected from heat, direct sunlight, freezing and contamination, and stored away from incompatible materials.
First Aid Measures of E432 Polysorbate 20:
Inhalation:
After inhalation of E432 Polysorbate 20 mist or aerosol, move the person to fresh air.
E432 Polysorbate 20 exposure that causes breathing difficulty or irritation calls for medical attention.
Skin contact:
After skin contact with E432 Polysorbate 20, wash the area with plenty of water and soap.
E432 Polysorbate 20 skin contact calls for removal of contaminated clothing.
Eye contact:
After eye contact with E432 Polysorbate 20, rinse cautiously with water for several minutes, removing contact lenses if present and easy to do.
E432 Polysorbate 20 eye contact calls for medical attention if irritation persists.
Ingestion:
After ingestion of E432 Polysorbate 20, rinse the mouth with water.
E432 Polysorbate 20 ingestion should not be followed by induced vomiting unless instructed by medical personnel, and medical advice should be sought if symptoms occur.
Firefighting Measures of E432 Polysorbate 20:
Suitable extinguishing media:
E432 Polysorbate 20 fires can be fought with water spray, foam, dry chemical powder or carbon dioxide.
Specific hazards:
E432 Polysorbate 20 may burn under fire conditions and produce irritating fumes, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide.
Protective equipment:
E432 Polysorbate 20 fires require firefighters to wear self-contained breathing apparatus and full protective clothing.
Accidental Release Measures of E432 Polysorbate 20:
Personal precautions:
E432 Polysorbate 20 should be kept off the eyes and skin, with suitable protective equipment used.
E432 Polysorbate 20 makes surfaces slippery after a spill.
Environmental precautions:
E432 Polysorbate 20 should not enter drains, waterways or soil in large quantities.
Cleanup methods:
E432 Polysorbate 20 spills should be absorbed with an inert material such as sand, earth or absorbent granules and collected into suitable containers for disposal.
E432 Polysorbate 20 spill areas should be washed with water after collection.
Exposure Controls / Personal Protective Equipment of E432 Polysorbate 20:
Engineering controls:
E432 Polysorbate 20 operations need adequate ventilation, especially where mist or aerosols may be generated.
Eye protection:
E432 Polysorbate 20 handling calls for safety goggles or a face shield.
Skin protection:
E432 Polysorbate 20 handling calls for chemical-resistant gloves and protective clothing.
Respiratory protection:
E432 Polysorbate 20 normally needs no respiratory protection under good ventilation.
E432 Polysorbate 20 mist or aerosols call for suitable respiratory protection.
Hygiene measures:
E432 Polysorbate 20 handling should be followed by hand washing.
E432 Polysorbate 20 use should not be accompanied by eating, drinking or smoking.
Properties of E432 Polysorbate 20:
Chemical class: Nonionic surfactant / polysorbate / sorbitan ester
Fatty acid: Lauric acid (C12)
Ionic character: Nonionic
Emulsion type: Oil-in-water emulsifier
HLB value: 16.7
Physical state (25 °C): Viscous liquid
Appearance: Clear, light yellow to amber
Odor: Mild, characteristic
Solubility: Soluble or dispersible in water
Density (25 °C): ~1.08–1.1 g/cm³
Melting point: ~0 °C
Boiling point: >100 °C
Flash point: >150 °C
Viscosity (25 °C): 0.3–0.5 Pa·s
pH (5% aqueous solution): 5.0–7.0
CMC: 8.04×10⁻⁵ M at 21 °C
Names of E432 Polysorbate 20:
E432 Polysorbate 20
Polysorbate 20
Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate
PEG-20 sorbitan monolaurate
Tween 20
Kolliphor PS 20
Montanox 20
Alkest TW 20
Kotilen-20
