Polysorbate 80

Polysorbate 80

Names
IUPAC name Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate
Other names Alkest TW 80 Tween 80 PS 80
Identifiers
CAS Number	9005-65-6 Y
ChEMBL	ChEMBL1697847 N
ECHA InfoCard	100.105.529
E number	E433 (thickeners, ...)
RTECS number	WG2932500
UNII	6OZP39ZG8H N
Properties
Chemical formula	C64H124O26
Molar mass	1310 g/mol
Appearance	Amber colored viscous liquid
Density	1.06–1.09 g/mL, oily liquid
Boiling point	> 100°C
Solubility in water	Very soluble
Solubility in other solvents	soluble in ethanol, cottonseed oil, corn oil, ethyl acetate, methanol, toluene
Viscosity	300–500 centistokes (@25°C)
Hazards
Main hazards	Irritant
NFPA 704	1 1 0
Flash point	113 °C (235 °F; 386 K)
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
N  (what is YN ?)
Infobox references

Polysorbate 80 is a nonionic surfactant and emulsifier often used in foods and cosmetics. This synthetic compound is a viscous, water-soluble yellow liquid.

Polysorbate 80 is derived from polyethoxylated sorbitan and oleic acid. The hydrophilic groups in this compound are polyethers also known as polyoxyethylene groups, which are polymers of ethylene oxide. In the nomenclature of polysorbates, the numeric designation following polysorbate refers to the lipophilic group, in this case the oleic acid (see polysorbate for more detail).

The full chemical names for polysorbate 80 are:

The critical micelle concentration of polysorbate 80 in pure water is reported as 0.012 mM.

E number: E433

Brand names:

Polysorbate 80 is used as an emulsifier in foods.

For example, in ice cream, polysorbate is added up to 0.5% (v/v) concentration to make the ice cream smoother and easier to handle, as well as increasing its resistance to melting. Adding this substance prevents milk proteins from completely coating the fat droplets. This allows them to join together in chains and nets, which hold air in the mixture, and provide a firmer texture that holds its shape as the ice cream melts.

Polysorbate 80 is also used as a surfactant in soaps and cosmetics (including eyedrops), or a solubilizer such as in a mouthwash. The cosmetic grade of polysorbate 80 may have more impurities than the food grade.

Polysorbate 80 is an excipient that is used to stabilize aqueous formulations of medications for parenteral administration, and used as an emulsifier in the manufacture of the popular antiarrhythmic amiodarone. It is also used as an excipient in some European and Canadian influenza vaccines. Influenza vaccines contain 25 μg of polysorbate 80 per dose. It is also used in the culture of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Middlebrook 7H9 broth. It is also used as an emulsifier in the estrogen-regulating drug Estrasorb.