Polysorbate 80 BP Grade
Polyoxyethylene 20 Sorbitan Mono-oleate
Ph Eur
Action and use: Non-ionic surfactants.
DEFINITION
Mixture of partial esters of fatty acids, mainly Oleic acid (0799), with
sorbitol and its anhydrides ethoxylated with approximately 20 moles of ethylene oxide
for each mole of sorbitol and sorbitol anhydrides.
CHARACTERS
Appearance: Oily, yellowish or brownish-yellow, clear or slightly opalescent
liquid.
Solubility: Dispersible in water, in anhydrous 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 identificationıA, D.
Second identificationıB, C, D, E.
A. Infrared absorption spectrophotometry.
B. Hydroxyl value (see Tests).
C. Saponification value (see Tests).
D. Composition of fatty acids.
E. Dissolve 0.1 g in 5 ml of methylene chloride R. Add 0.1 g of potassium
thiocyanate R and 0.1 g of cobalt nitrate R. Stir with a glass rod.
The solution becomes blue.
TESTS
Acid value: Maximum 2.0.
Hydroxyl value: 65 to 80.
Peroxide value: Maximum 10.0.
Saponification value: 45 to 55, determined on 4.0 g.
Composition of fatty acids: To pass the test.
Ethylene oxide and dioxan: Maximum 1 ppm of ethylene oxide and maximum 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 80 FCC Food Grade
Polyoxyethylene (20) Sorbitan Monooleate; Sorbitan Mono-
9-octadecenoate; Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl) Derivative
INS: 433 CAS: [9005-65-6]
DESCRIPTION
Polysorbate 80 occurs as a yellow to orange colored, oily liquid. It is a
mixture of oleate partial esters of sorbitol and sorbitol anhydrides condensed with
approximately 20 moles of ethylene oxide (C2H4O) for each mole of sorbitol and its mono-
and dianhydrides. It is very soluble in water, producing a nearly colorless solution,
and it is soluble in alcohol, in fixed oils, in ethyl acetate, and in toluene. It is
insoluble in mineral oil.
Function: Emulsifier; stabilizer.
REQUIREMENTS
Identification
A. Add 5 mL of 1 N sodium hydroxide to 5 mL of a 1:20 aqueous solution, boil
for a few minutes, cool, and acidify with 2.7 N hydrochloric acid. The solution
is strongly opalescent.
B. Add bromine dropwise, to a 1:20 aqueous solution. The bromine is decolorized.
C. A 60:40 (v/v) mixture of Polysorbate 80:water at 25C or below yields a gelatinous
mass.
