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.
Polysorbate 80 is a nonionic surfactant and emulsifier often used in pharmaceuticals, foods, and cosmetics. This synthetic compound is a viscous, water-soluble yellow liquid.
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| Names | |
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| IUPAC name
Polyoxyethylene (80) sorbitan monooleate
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| Other names
Kolliphor PS 80
Montanox 80 Alkest TW 80 Tween 80 PS 80 Kotilen-80 | |
| Identifiers | |
| ChEMBL | |
| ChemSpider |
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| ECHA InfoCard | 100.105.529 |
| E number | E433 (thickeners, ...) |
| KEGG | |
| RTECS number |
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| UNII | |
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)
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| Properties | |
| C64H124O26 | |
| Molar mass | 1310 g/mol |
| Appearance | Amber colored oil |
| Density | 1.102 g/mL |
| Boiling point | > 100°C |
| 100 mL/L | |
| Solubility in other solvents | soluble in ethanol, cottonseed oil, corn oil, ethyl acetate, methanol, toluene |
| Viscosity | 300–500 centistokes (@25°C) |
| Hazards | |
| Occupational safety and health (OHS/OSH): | |
Main hazards
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Irritant |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | |
| 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).
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