Quick Search
Sorbitan Monolaurate is a nonionic surfactant and emulsifier produced by esterifying sorbitan with lauric acid, and Sorbitan Monolaurate is widely used to stabilize emulsions and improve wetting and dispersion in food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and industrial formulations.
Sorbitan Monolaurate is commonly known as Span 20, and Sorbitan Monolaurate is valued for strong water-in-oil emulsification support, interfacial stabilization, and compatibility with many oils, waxes, and emulsifier blends.
Sorbitan Monolaurate is often used together with polysorbates to tune HLB and achieve stable oil-in-water or water-in-oil systems, and Sorbitan Monolaurate performance depends on formulation polarity, processing temperature, and shear.
CAS Number: 1338-39-2
EC Number: 215-663-3
Molecular Formula: C18H34O6
Molecular Weight: 346.46 g/mol
Synonyms: Sorbitan Monolaurate, Span 20, Sorbitan Laurate, Sorbitan 1-Monolaurate, Lauric Acid Sorbitan Ester, Sorbitan Monolaurate Emulsifier, Nonionic Emulsifier Span 20, Sorbitan Laurate Surfactant, Sorbitan Monolaurate Food Grade, Sorbitan Monolaurate Cosmetic Grade, Sorbitan Monolaurate Surfactant, Span 20 Emulsifier, Sorbitan Monolaurate, Sorbitan Mono Laurate, Sorbitan Mono-Laurate, Sorbitan Laurate, Sorbitan Monolauric Acid Ester, Sorbitan Ester of Lauric Acid, Sorbitan Monoester of Lauric Acid, Sorbitan Laurate Monoester, Sorbitan Monolauric Ester, Monolaurate of Sorbitan, Sorbitan Dodecanoate Monoester, Sorbitan Mono(dodecanoate), Sorbitan Monoesters of Lauric Acid, Sorbitan Lauric Acid Monoester, Sorbitan Monolaurate Emulsifier, Sorbitan Monolaurate Food Grade, Sorbitan Monolaurate Technical Grade, Sorbitan Monolaurate Cosmetic Grade, Sorbitan Monolaurate Pharmaceutical Grade, Sorbitan Monolaurate Industrial Grade, Sorbitan Monolaurate Emulsifier Grade, Sorbitan Monolaurate Stabilizer Grade, Sorbitan Monolaurate Additive Grade, Sorbitan Monolaurate NF, Sorbitan Monolaurate FCC, Sorbitan Monolaurate USP, Sorbitan Monolaurate EP, Sorbitan Monolaurate BP, Sorbitan Monolaurate Pure, Sorbitan Monolaurate High Purity, Sorbitan Monolaurate Liquid, Sorbitan Monolaurate Viscous Liquid, Sorbitan Monolaurate Amber Liquid, Sorbitan Monolaurate Cream Grade, Sorbitan Monolaurate Lotion Grade, Sorbitan Monolaurate Ointment Grade, Sorbitan Monolaurate Food Additive, Sorbitan Monolaurate Surface Active Agent, Sorbitan Monolaurate Nonionic Emulsifier, Sorbitan Monolaurate Dispersing Agent, Sorbitan Monolaurate Stabilizer, Sorbitan Monolaurate Solubilizer, Sorbitan Monolaurate Processing Aid, Sorbitan Monolaurate Functional Emulsifier, Sorbitan Monolaurate Bakery Additive, Sorbitan Monolaurate Personal Care Additive, Sorbitan Monolaurate Texture Modifier, Sorbitan Monolaurate Creaming Agent, Sorbitan Monolaurate Lipophilic Emulsifier, Sorbitan Monolaurate Ester, Sorbitan Laurate Ester, Sorbitan Fatty Acid Ester, Sorbitan Lauric Ester, Sorbitan Monoester, Sorbitan Single Laurate, Sorbitan Monolaurate Blend, Sorbitan Monolaurate Compound, Sorbitan Monolaurate Ingredient
APPLICATIONS
Sorbitan Monolaurate is used in food emulsions to stabilize water-in-oil systems and improve texture in compatible products.
Sorbitan Monolaurate is incorporated into bakery fats and shortenings to improve fat handling and emulsion stability.
Sorbitan Monolaurate is used in confectionery coatings to improve flow and reduce fat separation in compatible systems.
Sorbitan Monolaurate is used in margarine and spreads to stabilize water-in-oil emulsions and reduce oiling-off.
Sorbitan Monolaurate is incorporated into table spreads to improve plasticity and emulsion stability during storage.
Sorbitan Monolaurate is used in fat-based sauces and dressings to improve phase stability in compatible formulations.
Sorbitan Monolaurate is used in pharmaceutical creams and ointments to stabilize emulsions and improve product consistency.
Sorbitan Monolaurate is incorporated into topical emulsions to improve stability of oil phases and reduce separation.
Sorbitan Monolaurate is used in oral and topical formulations as a nonionic emulsifier where compatibility and safety requirements are met.
Sorbitan Monolaurate is used in cosmetics such as creams, lotions, and sunscreens to stabilize emulsions and improve texture.
Sorbitan Monolaurate is incorporated into makeup products to improve dispersion of pigments and reduce agglomeration.
Sorbitan Monolaurate is used in cleansing oils and balm systems to support emulsification and rinse-off behavior in compatible designs.
Sorbitan Monolaurate is used in fragrance and essential oil solubilization systems as part of emulsifier blends to improve clarity and stability.
Sorbitan Monolaurate is incorporated into emulsifier packages with polysorbates to tune HLB and reduce clouding.
Sorbitan Monolaurate is used in microemulsions to stabilize oil droplets and improve long-term stability.
Sorbitan Monolaurate is used in agrochemical formulations as a wetting and emulsifying agent to improve dispersion of oil-based actives.
Sorbitan Monolaurate is incorporated into emulsifiable concentrates and adjuvant blends to improve coverage and stability.
Sorbitan Monolaurate is used in spray adjuvants to improve droplet spreading and wetting on plant surfaces.
Sorbitan Monolaurate is used in industrial coatings and inks to improve wetting, dispersion, and substrate coverage.
Sorbitan Monolaurate is incorporated into pigment dispersions to reduce surface tension and improve milling efficiency.
Sorbitan Monolaurate is used in latex systems to stabilize emulsions in compatible polymer processing.
Sorbitan Monolaurate is used in food-grade release agents to reduce sticking and improve demolding in bakery and confectionery processing.
Sorbitan Monolaurate is incorporated into pan release formulations to improve uniform coverage and reduce tearing.
Sorbitan Monolaurate is valued because Sorbitan Monolaurate provides reliable nonionic emulsification and wetting performance across many oil-rich systems, especially when blended to reach target HLB.
Sorbitan Monolaurate is used as a nonionic emulsifier in food to stabilize water-in-oil and oil-in-water systems depending on formulation.
Sorbitan Monolaurate supports formation of fine droplets and improved emulsion stability.
Sorbitan Monolaurate helps reduce separation in sauces, dressings, and fat-based systems.
Sorbitan Monolaurate is used in bakery products to improve fat dispersion and dough/batter consistency in some formulations.
Sorbitan Monolaurate supports uniform distribution of fats and oils in batters.
Sorbitan Monolaurate helps improve crumb texture and processing stability in selected baked goods.
Sorbitan Monolaurate is used in cake batters to improve emulsification and aeration stability.
Sorbitan Monolaurate supports stable foam and consistent gas cell structure.
Sorbitan Monolaurate helps improve cake volume and crumb uniformity.
Sorbitan Monolaurate is used in whipped toppings to stabilize emulsions and support foam structure in some systems.
Sorbitan Monolaurate supports stable air incorporation and reduced collapse.
Sorbitan Monolaurate helps improve texture stability in aerated desserts.
Sorbitan Monolaurate is used in margarine and spreads as an emulsifier to stabilize water-in-oil structure.
Sorbitan Monolaurate supports smooth texture and reduced water weeping.
Sorbitan Monolaurate helps improve spreadability across temperature ranges.
Sorbitan Monolaurate is used in non-dairy creamers to stabilize emulsions and improve mouthfeel.
Sorbitan Monolaurate supports stable fat dispersion in liquid and powdered creamers.
Sorbitan Monolaurate helps improve whitening and dispersion in hot beverages.
Sorbitan Monolaurate is used in chocolate and confectionery to improve fat dispersion in some systems.
Sorbitan Monolaurate supports smoother texture in fat-based fillings.
Sorbitan Monolaurate helps reduce oiling-off in selected confectionery creams.
Sorbitan Monolaurate is used in chewing gum to improve plasticization and processing in some formulations.
Sorbitan Monolaurate supports smoother gum texture and reduced sticking.
Sorbitan Monolaurate helps improve ingredient distribution in gum bases.
Sorbitan Monolaurate is used in emulsified flavor systems to help disperse oil-based flavors into aqueous foods.
Sorbitan Monolaurate supports stable flavor emulsions for beverages and syrups.
Sorbitan Monolaurate helps maintain uniform flavor distribution during storage.
Sorbitan Monolaurate is used in beverage cloud emulsions to stabilize oil droplets that provide turbidity.
Sorbitan Monolaurate supports consistent cloud stability under shelf life conditions.
Sorbitan Monolaurate helps reduce ring formation and creaming in beverages.
Sorbitan Monolaurate is used in vitamin emulsions to disperse fat-soluble vitamins in aqueous systems.
Sorbitan Monolaurate supports stable emulsions before spray drying or filling.
Sorbitan Monolaurate helps improve uniform dosing of vitamins and oils.
Sorbitan Monolaurate is used in ice cream to improve emulsification and texture in some formulations.
Sorbitan Monolaurate supports controlled fat destabilization and air cell stability.
Sorbitan Monolaurate helps improve smoothness and reduce ice crystal growth.
Sorbitan Monolaurate is used in frozen desserts to improve microstructure stability during temperature cycling.
Sorbitan Monolaurate supports heat shock resistance in distribution.
Sorbitan Monolaurate helps maintain creamy texture and stable meltdown.
Sorbitan Monolaurate is used in processed cheese and cheese sauces to support fat dispersion in some systems.
Sorbitan Monolaurate supports smoother texture and reduced oiling-off during heating.
Sorbitan Monolaurate helps improve sauce stability under thermal stress.
Sorbitan Monolaurate is used in meat emulsions and pâtés in some formulations to stabilize fat and water.
Sorbitan Monolaurate supports improved emulsion stability during cooking.
Sorbitan Monolaurate helps reduce fat separation and improves sliceability.
Sorbitan Monolaurate is used in plant-based meat analogs to improve fat dispersion and mouthfeel.
Sorbitan Monolaurate supports stable emulsion structure in plant protein systems.
Sorbitan Monolaurate helps reduce oil separation during cooking.
Sorbitan Monolaurate is used in frying oils and frying batters in some systems to influence wetting and oil uptake.
Sorbitan Monolaurate supports improved batter performance and surface wetting.
Sorbitan Monolaurate helps improve texture consistency in fried foods.
Sorbitan Monolaurate is used in pharmaceuticals as a nonionic emulsifier for topical and oral formulations.
Sorbitan Monolaurate supports solubilization of lipophilic actives in emulsions.
Sorbitan Monolaurate helps stabilize creams, ointments, and suspensions.
DESCRIPTION
Sorbitan Monolaurate is a sorbitan ester derived from dehydration of sorbitol followed by esterification with lauric acid, and Sorbitan Monolaurate is typically a viscous liquid or semi-solid depending on grade.
Sorbitan Monolaurate is a low-HLB emulsifier suited for water-in-oil systems, and Sorbitan Monolaurate is often paired with higher-HLB emulsifiers such as polysorbates to stabilize oil-in-water systems.
Sorbitan Monolaurate helps stabilize emulsions by reducing interfacial tension and forming interfacial films, and Sorbitan Monolaurate can also improve wetting and dispersion of solids in oils.
Sorbitan Monolaurate performance depends on oil polarity, temperature, and shear, and warm processing can improve dispersion and speed of emulsification.
Sorbitan Monolaurate is generally compatible with many oils, waxes, and nonionic surfactants, but electrolytes and extreme pH can affect stability of some emulsion systems.
Sorbitan Monolaurate should be selected based on purity, color, odor, and regulatory grade, especially for food and pharmaceutical use.
Sorbitan Monolaurate should be stored in tightly closed containers in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
Sorbitan Monolaurate can thicken at lower temperatures, so gentle warming may be used to improve handling without overheating.
Sorbitan Monolaurate should be used according to supplier specifications and applicable regulations for the intended market and product category.
PROPERTIES
Chemical Formula: C18H34O6
Molecular Weight: 346.46 g/mol
Common Name: Sorbitan Monolaurate (Span 20)
Chemical Type: Nonionic surfactant; sorbitan ester emulsifier
Appearance: Amber to light yellow viscous liquid or semi-solid (grade dependent)
Odor: Mild characteristic odor
Solubility: Dispersible in oils; limited water solubility; forms emulsions
HLB Value: ~8.6 (typical)
Function: Emulsifier, wetting agent, dispersant, solubilization aid in blends
Viscosity: Temperature dependent
Stability: Stable under normal storage; avoid strong oxidizers and excessive heat
Storage Temperature: 15–30°C, tightly closed
Shelf Life: Typically 24 months in original sealed packaging (supplier dependent)
FIRST AID
Inhalation:
Move to fresh air if mists are inhaled.
Seek medical attention if respiratory irritation persists.
Avoid breathing aerosols during spraying and hot handling.
Skin Contact:
Wash with soap and water after contact.
Remove contaminated clothing and wash before reuse.
Seek medical advice if irritation develops or persists.
Eye Contact:
Rinse cautiously with water for several minutes.
Remove contact lenses if present and easy to do, then continue rinsing.
Seek medical attention if irritation persists.
Ingestion:
Rinse mouth with water.
Seek medical attention if discomfort occurs or if a significant amount is swallowed.
Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.
Note to Physicians:
Treat symptomatically.
No specific antidote is required.
Provide supportive care as needed.
HANDLING AND STORAGE
Handling:
Use appropriate PPE including gloves and safety glasses, especially during bulk handling.
Avoid prolonged skin contact and avoid splashing into eyes.
Wash hands after handling and before eating, drinking, or smoking.
Ventilation:
Use general ventilation for normal handling.
Use local exhaust if heated handling generates mists.
Avoid aerosol formation in enclosed spaces without proper ventilation.
Storage:
Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, dry place away from heat sources.
Protect from direct sunlight and strong oxidizers.
Keep containers properly labeled and protected from contamination.
Spill and Leak Procedures:
Contain the spill and absorb with inert material.
Clean surfaces thoroughly because oily surfactants can create slip hazards.
Dispose of waste according to local regulations and facility procedures.
Handling Precautions:
Select Sorbitan Monolaurate with appropriate HLB strategy and blend with polysorbates when an oil-in-water emulsion is required.
Control processing temperature and shear to achieve rapid emulsification and stable droplet size distribution.
Rotate stock using FIFO practices to maintain consistent quality and predictable emulsification performance.
