Chemistry and Names
- Polysorbate 80 is derived from polyethoxylated sorbitan and oleic acid.
- The hydrophilic groups in this compound are polyethers, also known as polyoxyethylene groups.
- The numeric designation following polysorbate refers to the lipophilic group, in this case, oleic acid.
- The full chemical names for polysorbate 80 are Polyoxyethylene (80) sorbitan monooleate and (x)-sorbitan mono-9-octadecenoate poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl).
- Polysorbate 80 is also known as E number E433.
- It has various brand names, including Kolliphor PS 80, Alkest TW 80, Scattics, Canarcel, Poegasorb 80, Montanox 80, Tween 80, and Kotilen-80.

Uses
- Polysorbate 80 is used as an emulsifier in foods, such as ice cream, to make it smoother and resistant to melting.
- It is used as a surfactant in soaps and cosmetics, including eyedrops.
- Polysorbate 80 is used in oral and topical pharmaceutical products as a surfactant and solubilizer.
- It is used as an excipient in some European and Canadian influenza vaccines.
- Polysorbate 80 is used in the culture of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and in the granulation for stabilization of drugs and excipients.

Health and Beauty
- Polysorbate 80 is used as a surfactant in soaps and cosmetics, including eyedrops.
- The cosmetic grade of polysorbate 80 may have more impurities than the food grade.

Medical
- Polysorbate 80 is used as an excipient to stabilize aqueous formulations of medications for parenteral administration.
- It is used as an emulsifier in the making of the antiarrhythmic amiodarone.
- Polysorbate 80 is found in many vaccines used in the United States, including the Janssen COVID-19 vaccine.
- It is used in the culture of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Middlebrook 7H9 broth.
- Polysorbate 80 is also used as an emulsifier in the estrogen-regulating drug Estrasorb.

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