Products
Polysorbate 60 is used as an excipient in solid, liquid and semi-solid medicines. It is also used in personal care products.
Structure and properties
Polysorbate 60 is a mixture of partial esters of fatty acids, mainly stearic acid, with sorbitol and its anhydrides ethoxylated with about 20 moles of ethylene oxide for each mole of sorbitol and sorbitol anhydride. It exists as a yellowish brown gelatinous mass that becomes a clear liquid at temperatures above 25°C. Polysorbate 60 is soluble in water. Polysorbate 60 belongs to the group of non-ionic emulsifiers. Like other surface-active substances, it contains hydrophilic and hydrophobic portions.
Effects
Polysorbate 60 has emulsifying, surface-active, cleansing and solubilizing properties.
Fields of application
- As an emulsifier for the production of emulsions.
- As a solubilizer for active ingredients.
- As a food additive.
