Sorbitan monostearate is an

ester In chemistry, an ester is a compound derived from an oxoacid (organic or inorganic) in which at least one hydroxyl group () is replaced by an alkoxy group (), as in the substitution reaction of a carboxylic acid and an alcohol. Glycerides ...

of sorbitan (a

sorbitol Sorbitol (), less commonly known as glucitol (), is a sugar alcohol with a sweet taste which the human body metabolizes slowly. It can be obtained by reduction of glucose, which changes the converted aldehyde group (−CHO) to a primary alcoho ...

derivative) and

stearic acid Stearic acid ( , ) is a saturated fatty acid with an 18-carbon chain. The IUPAC name is octadecanoic acid. It is a waxy solid and its chemical formula is C17H35CO2H. Its name comes from the Greek word στέαρ "''stéar''", which means ta ...

and is sometimes referred to as a synthetic wax.Ingredients – Sorbitan Monostearate
at sci-toys.com

Uses

Sorbitan monostearate is used in the manufacture of food and healthcare products as a non-ionic

surfactant Surfactants are chemical compounds that decrease the surface tension between two liquids, between a gas and a liquid, or interfacial tension between a liquid and a solid. Surfactants may act as detergents, wetting agents, emulsion#Emulsifiers , ...

with emulsifying, dispersing, and wetting properties. It is also employed to create synthetic fibers, metal machining fluid, and as a brightener in the leather industry. Sorbitans are also known as "Spans". Sorbitan monostearate has been approved by the European Union for use as a food additive (emulsifier) (

E number E numbers ("E" stands for "Europe") are codes for substances used as food additives, including those found naturally in many foods such as vitamin C, for use within the European Union (EU) and European Free Trade Association (EFTA). Commonly ...

: E 491).Current EU approved additives and their E Numbers

Food Standards Agency The Food Standards Agency is a non-ministerial government department of the Government of the United Kingdom. It is responsible for protecting public health in relation to food in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It is led by a board ap ...

, 26 November 2010 It is also approved for use by the British Pharmacopoeia.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sorbitan Monostearate Food additives Non-ionic surfactants E-number additives Stearate esters

Uses

See also

References