POLYSORBATE 20

SYNONYMS

Polysorbate 20; tween 20; Polyethylene glycol sorbitan monolaurate; Polyoxyethylenesorbitan monolaurate; 2-[2-[3,4-bis(2-hydroxyethoxy)oxolan-2-yl]-2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethoxy]ethyl dodecanoat; 2-(2-(3,4-Bis(2-hydroxyethoxy)tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)-2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethoxy)ethyl dodecanoate; POE(20) sorbitan monolaurate; Ethoxylated Sorbitan monolaurate; Alkest TW 20; Polyoxyethylene Sorbitan Monolaurate 20 NF; Polyoxyethylenesorbitan monolaurate; C12 sorbitan monoester, 20 EO (polysorbate 20); 3,6-Anhydro-1-O-[2-(dodecanoyloxy)ethyl]-2,4,5-tris-O-(2-hydroxyethyl)hexitol; Polisorbate 20- PS 20; Tween 20 (Trademark of ICI America, Inc.); Tween 20; Tween 20 1LT; Twain 20;TWEEN(R) 20 Vetec(TM) reagent grade, 40%;ACRYL/BIS 37.5:1 PREMIXED PWD ULTRA PURE; TWEEN 20 ELECTROPHORESIS GRADE; Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate; Montanox 20; Polysorbate 20; PEG(20)sorbitan monolaurate; Alkest TW 20; TWEEN 20; psml;capmul;Twain 20;TWEEN 20;FEMA 2915;emsorb6915;'TWEEN' 20;TWEEN 20(R);TWEEN NO 20;TWEEN(R) 20; polysorbate 20, Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate; PEG(20)sorbitan monolaurate; polisorbat 20; 20 polysorbate; twen 20; POLISORBATE 20; POLYSORBATE 20; hydroxyethoxy 20; oxolan 2- hydroxyethoxy; Polyoxyethylene- sorbitan monolaurate; Polyoxyethylene- sorbitan monopalmitate; Polyethylene glycol sorbitan monolaurate; Polyoxyethylenesorbitan monolaurate; Montanox 20; polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan esters; Polysorbatum 20; Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate; Polyoxyethylene Sorbitan Monolaurate; Tween-20; Emulsifier T-20; 3,6-Anhydro-1-O-[2-(Dodecanoyloxy)Ethyl]-2,4,5-Tris-O-(2-Hydroxyethyl)Hexitol; 2-Hydroxyethyl 2-Deoxy-3,5-Bis-O-(2-Hydroxyethyl)-6-O-{2-[(9E)-Octadec-9-Enoyloxy]Ethyl}Hexofuranoside; Polyethyleneglycol Sorbitan Monolaurate; Polysorbate 20; POE (6) sorbitol monolaurate; tween (R) 20; Polysorbate (INN);  Tween 20;  2-[2-[3,4-bis(2-hydroxyethoxy)oxolan-2-yl]-2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethoxy]ethyl dodecanoate;  MDL 11,939;  Polysorbate 60 (NF);  Polysorbate;  Polysorbate 20 (NF);  monododecanoate; 3,6-anhydro-1-O-[2-(dodecanoyloxy)ethyl]-2,4,5-tris-O-(2-hydroxyethyl)hexitol; 2-hydroxyethyl 2-deoxy-3,5-bis-O-(2-hydroxyethyl)-6-O-{2-[(9E)-octadec-9-enoyloxy]ethyl}hexofuranoside;  

Tween 20, whose common commercial names includes Alkest TW 20 and Polysorbate 20, is a mild nonionic surfactant formed by the ethoxylation of sorbitan before the addition of lauric acid which is a medium-chain fatty acid found mainly in coconut oil. It is allowed to be used as the emulsifier, detergent, dispersant, solvent and stabilizer, etc. in a number of fields such as pharmaceutical, chemical, food, textile and other industries due to its stability and relative non-toxicity.Tween 20 is widely applied in biological techniques and sciences, which can be added to buffers and reagents for immunohistochemistry, such as Western blots and ELISAs, helping to prevent non-specific antibody binding, decrease background staining and enhance reagent spreading. Besides, Tween 20 also has applications in food production as a common food grade additive which are found in many consumables on the market today. It can also be used as a wetting agent in flavored mouth drops such as Ice Drops, in oral or non-gastrointestinal suspensions and in rubber balers in the elastomer industry.Polysorbate 20 is a mixture of laurate partial esters of sorbitol and sorbitol anhydrides condensed with approximately 20 mole of ethylene oxide (C2H4O) for each mole of sorbitol and its mono- and dianhydrides. It has a faint, characteristic odor and a warm, somewhat bitter taste.By condensing the partial esters of sorbitol and its anhydrides with ethylene oxide to effect an oxyethylene copolymerization at the free hydroxyl groups. Polysorbate 20 is used as a wetting agent in flavored mouth drops such as Ice Drops, helping to provide a spreading feeling to other ingredients like SD alcohol and mint flavor. The World Health Organization has suggested acceptable daily intake limits of 0–25 mg of polyoxyethylene sorbitan esters per kg body weight. In biological techniques and sciences, polysorbate 20 has a broad range of applications. as a washing agent in immunoassays, such as Western blots and ELISAs. It helps to prevent non-specific antibody binding. In this major application, it is dissolved in Tris-buffered saline or phosphate buffered saline at dilutions of 0.05% to 0.5% v/v. These buffers are used for washes between each immunoreaction, to remove unbound immunologicals, and eventually for incubating solutions of immunoreagents (labeled antibodies) to reduce nonspecific background.to saturate binding sites on surfaces (i.e., to coat polystyrene microplates, generally combined with proteins such as BSA).to stabilize proteins purified protein derivative (PPD) solution used in skin testing for tuberculosis exposure. as a solubilizing agent of membrane proteins. for lysing mammalian cells, at a concentration of 0.05% to 0.5% v/v, generally combined with other detergents, salts and additives. Polysorbate 20 is used as an excipient in pharmaceutical applications to stabilize emulsions and suspensions. Polysorbate 20 is used by philatelists to remove stamps from envelopes and to remove residues from stamps, without harming the stamp itself.Polysorbate 20 is also used as wetting agent in rubber balers in the elastomer industry. Polysorbate 20 has been used as a shape directing agent to synthesize spheroidal magnetite nanoassemblies. TWEEN 20 has been used as a blocking agent for membrane based immunoassays at a typical concentration of 0.05%.TWEEN 20 is suitable for use as a solubilizing agent of membrane proteins and as a blocking agent in Western blotting. TWEEN 20 can be used for lysing mammalian cells at a concentration of 0.05 to 0.5%. TWEEN 20 is a nonionic detergent widely used in biochemical applications. Sigma offers a number of products for research, some tested for suitability in a given application. The general use reagent is Product No. P 1379. TWEEN 20 is a frequently used member of the polysorbate family. These have been used as emulsifying agents for the preparation of stable oil-in water emulsions. When Sorbitol – a sugar alcohol that can be derived from either a vegetable or a fruit source – is treated with 20 moles of Ethylene Oxide, the chemical reaction results in Sorbitan Monolaurate, which is also known as a Polysorbate (specifically Polysorbate 20 or Solubilizer). Solubilizer is a water-soluble emulsifier, which binds water and oil together. Polysorbate 20 is a gentle, oily, liquid cosmetic additive that functions as a nonionic surfactant and wetting agent that enhances the spreadability of liquids. As a solubilizer, it helps both essential oils and fragrance oils to attach to various types of cosmetic bases, including liquid, cream, and gel bases, and thereby prevents the oils and bases from separating. As a dispersant, it also helps to diffuse oils throughout water and to prevent the oils from clumping or settling. As an anti-static agent, Polysorbate 20 helps to reduce and prevent the buildup of static charges. Furthermore, it is a thickener as well as a viscosity modifier, which helps prevent changes to a product’s viscosity when it is subjected to varying room temperatures, such as extreme cold or heat.Polysorbate 20 is added to water-based cosmetic formulations as the last component required for ensuring that essential oils and fragrance oils remain blended with the bases to which they are added. Its soothing, non-irritating quality makes it ideal for addition to formulations for bath products, for body and facial cleansers, for baby products, and for other transparent and scented products, as it helps retain both the fragrance and the clarity. To incorporate Polysorbate 20 into a formulation, blend it with an equal amount of essential oils or fragrance oils for a 1:1 ratio of solubilizer to scent. Blend this combination until it is a clear mixture, then stir it directly into the base to stabilize the essential oils, to ensure that they remain thoroughly combined in the formula, and to help the final product maintain its transparency.As with all other New Directions Aromatics products, Solubilizer Polysorbate 20 Raw Material is for external use only. It is imperative to consult a medical practitioner before using this product for therapeutic purposes. Pregnant and nursing women as well as those with sensitive skin and an allergy to coconuts are especially advised not to use Solubilizer Polysorbate 20 Raw Material without the medical advice of a physician. This product should always be stored in an area that is inaccessible to children, especially those under the age of 7.Prior to using Solubilizer Polysorbate 20 Raw Material, a skin test is recommended. This can be done by dissolving 1 tsp Solubilizer Polysorbate 20 Raw Material in 1 tsp of a preferred Carrier Oil and applying a dime-size amount of this blend to a small area of skin that is not sensitive. Solubilizer Polysorbate 20 must never be used near the inner nose and ears or on any other particularly sensitive areas of skin. Potential side effects of Solubilizer Polysorbate 20 include skin irritation. In the event of an allergic reaction, discontinue use of the product and see a doctor, pharmacist, or allergist immediately for a health assessment and appropriate remedial action. To prevent side effects, consult with a medical professional prior to use. In some products with Solubilizer Polysorbate 20, the water and oils may separate; however, they will become re-emulsified upon shaking. Use polysorbate in applications where you need water and oil to combine a prime example would be room sprays, but it can also be used in a bath oils, cream preparations and shower gels / shampoos. Polysorbate 20 is soothing to the skin. Polysorbate 20 is considered a low hazard ingredient. Full information can be found in the MSDS sheets which can be downloaded by using the link to the right of this page. Polysorbate 20 is found in cosmetic preparations, food stuffs and other household products. Polysorbate 20 is commercially known as Tween 20.

APPEARANCE: Clear, yellow to yellow-green viscous liquid

USES: Polysorbate 20 is a solubilizer, emulsifier, viscosity modifier, and stabilizer of essential oils in water.

STORAGE: Aqueous solutions of polysorbates undergo autoxidation during storage, with changes being catalyzed by light, increased temperature, and copper sulfate.6 Autoclaving is not recommended without testing for changes in properties. TWEEN 20 may not be stable to autoclaving, particularly with metal cations in buffer olutions. TWEEN 20 is heat sensitive and will darken when exposed to elevated temperatures. Polysorbates have been reported to be incompatible with alkalis, heavy metal salts, phenols, and tannic acid. Polysorbates may reduce the activity of many preservatives.4 No plastic incompatabilities have been observed