Polysorbate

Polysorbates are a class of emulsifiers used in some pharmaceuticals and food preparation. They are often used in cosmetics to solubilize essential oils into water-based products. Polysorbates are oily liquids derived from ethoxylated sorbitan (a derivative of sorbitol) esterified with fatty acids. Common brand names for polysorbates include Scattics, Alkest, Canarcel, and Tween.

The number 20 following the 'polyoxyethylene' part refers to the total number of oxyethylene -(CH₂CH₂O)- 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. Monolaurate is indicated by 20, monopalmitate is indicated by 40, monostearate by 60, and monooleate by 80.

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