Polysorbate 20 BP Grade
Polyoxyethylene 20 Sorbitan Monolaurate
Ph Eur
DEFINITION
Mixture of partial esters of fatty acids, mainly lauric (dodecanoic) acid, with
sorbitol and its anhydrides ethoxylated with approximately 20 moles of ethylene
oxide for each mole of sorbitol and sorbitol anhydrides.
CHARACTERS
Appearance: Oily, yellow to brownish-yellow, clear or slightly opalescent
liquid.
Solubility: Soluble in water, in ethanol, in ethyl acetate and in methanol,
practically insoluble in fatty oils and in liquid paraffin.
Relative density: About 1.10.
Viscosity: About 400 mPa·s at 25 °C.
IDENTIFICATION
First identicationıA, D.
Second identificationıB, C, D, E.
A. Infrared absorption spectrophotometry.
B. It complies with the test for hydroxyl value.
C. It complies with the test for saponification value.
D. It complies with the test for composition of fatty acids.
E. Dissolve 0.1 g in 5 ml of methylene chloride. Add 0.1 g of potassium thiocyanate
and 0.1 g of cobalt nitrate. Stir with a glass rod. The solution becomes blue.
TESTS
Acid value: Maximum 2.0.
Hydroxyl value: 96 to 108.
Peroxide value: Maximum 10.0.
Saponification value: 40 to 50, determined on 4.0 g.
Composition of fatty acids:
Composition of the fatty acid fraction of the substance:
caproic acid : maximum 1.0 per cent;
caprylic acid : maximum 10.0 per cent;
capric acid: maximum 10.0 per cent;
lauric acid : 40.0 per cent to 60.0 per cent;
myristic acid : 14.0 per cent to 25.0 per cent;
palmitic acid : 7.0 per cent to 15.0 per cent;
stearic acid : maximum 7.0 per cent;
oleic acid : maximum 11.0 per cent;
linoleic acid : maximum 3.0 per cent.
Ethylene oxide and dioxan: Maximum 1 ppm of ethylene oxide and 10 ppm of
dioxan.
Heavy metals: Maximum 10 ppm.
Water: Maximum 3.0 per cent, determined on 1.00 g.
Total ash: Maximum 0.25 per cent, determined on 2.0 g.
Polysorbate 20 USP NF Grade
Sorbitan, monododecanoate, poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl) derivs.
Polyoxyethylene 20 sorbitan monolaurate [9005-64-5].
Polysorbate 20 is a laurate ester of sorbitol and its anhydrides copolymerized with
approximately 20 moles of ethylene oxide for each mole of sorbitol and sorbitol
anhydrides.
Identification:
A: It meets the requirements of Identification test A under
Polysorbate 80.
B: To 2 mL of a solution (1 in 20) add 0.5 mL of bromine dropwise:
the bromine is not decolorized (distinction from Polysorbate 80).
Hydroxyl value: between 96 and 108.
Saponification value: between 40 and 50.
Organic volatile impurities: meets the requirements. (Official until July 1,
2007)
Other requirements: It meets the requirements for Water, Residue on ignition,
Heavy metals, and Acid value under Polysorbate 80.
Polysorbate 20 FCC Food Grade
Polyoxyethylene (20) Sorbitan Monolaurate; Sorbitan
Monododecanoate; Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl) Derivative
INS: 432 CAS: [9005-64-5]
DESCRIPTION
Polysorbate 20 occurs as a yellow- to amber-colored liquid. It is a mixture of
laurate partial esters of sorbitol and sorbitol anhydrides condensed with
approximately 20 moles of ethylene oxide (C2H4O) for each mole of sorbitol and its
monoand dianhydrides. It is soluble in water, in alcohol, in ethyl acetate, in
methanol, and in dioxane, but it is insoluble in mineral oil and in mineral
spirits.
Function: Emulsifier; stabilizer.
