Sorbitan Esters
Sorbitan ester surfactantare nonionic lipophilic surfactants that are commonly used as water-in-oil (W/O) emulsifiers and stabilizers. Sorbitan fatty acidesters are produced by esterification of dehydrated sorbitol (sorbitan) with a variety of fatty acids. Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol that can be obtained by the reduction of glucose or derived from corn, potatoes, etc. The fatty acids commonly used to synthesize sorbitan esters include lauric acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, and oleic acid.
Sorbitan esters used as non ionic surfactants are examplesare effective for various functions. Our range of surfactants is used in a variety of settings, for example, as an emulsifier in food, a stabilizer in a cosmetic cream formulation, or a cosolvent and antirust agent for petroleum and oil. These surfactants are sourced from vegetables and vegan friendly. They are safe and nontoxic as food additives when used according to regulations.
Our range of fatty acid ester surfactanthas a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) between 1.6 - 8.6, which make them dissolvable in polar organic solvents and oils. When used in combination with varying proportions of ethoxylated sorbitan esters (polysorbate) that have an HLB range between 10.0 – 16.7, it creates more versatile surfactants; which can produce W/O or oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions with varying levels of consistencies, expanding the possible applications of these surfactants.
FAQs of Our Sorbitan Ester
What is the difference between non-ionic and ionic surfactants?
Compare to ionic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants are less sensitive to acidity or alkalinity.
What is a water-in-oil (W/O) emulsifier?
In water-in-oil emulsion, the hydrophilic parts of emulsifiers surround the water droplets and expose their lipophilic portions to the oil phase. This allows water droplets to suspend in oil environment.
What is sorbitan ester made of?
Sorbitan ester is composed of sorbitol-derived hexitol anhydrides aka sorbitans and various fatty acids (lauric acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, and oleic acid, etc.). Polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid ester is attached to sorbitans through esterification reactions.
Is sorbitol the same as sorbitan?
Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol (crystalline hexahydric alcohol) that can be sourced from plants, such as corns and potatoes. When sorbitol undergoes a dehydration process, where one water molecule is removed, it creates an anhydride called sorbitan.
What is HLB value?
HLB value is the abbreviation for hydrophilic-lipophilic balance, it is the ratio between the hydrophilic portions and lipophilic portion of a surfactant. It is represented by a number between 1 and 20. An HLB value less than 6 indicates that the surfactant favors W/O emulsion; an HLB value greater than 8 favors O/W emulsion. HLB values in between 7 and 9 indicate that the surfactants are good wetting agents.
Is sorbitan ester safe?
Sorbitan esters are widely used in cosmetics, food, medicines. They are generally considered as non-toxic and non-irritant. They are considered to be safe cosmetic ingredients.2 According to the World Health Organization (WHO), sorbitan esters composed of lauric acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid and stearic acid are safe to consume as food additives.1 The group ADI value of these sorbitan esters is 0-25mg/kg body weight/ day.1 Acute and long-term studies have shown that sorbitan esters are non-toxic via ingestion.2 During digestion, sorbitan esters are hydrolyzed into sorbitan and fatty acid; the fatty acid moiety is absorbed and metabolized, whereas the sorbitan moiety is excreted through urine, feces or respiration.
For more information about sorbitan esters usesand non ionic surfactant list, please feel free to contact us!
Send product request
Other supplier products
 |
Sorbitan Monooleate | sorbitan monooleate uses sorbitan monooleate surfactant What Is Sorbitan Monooleate? Sorbitan monooleate surfactant, also known as sorbitan oleat... |
 |
Polysorbate 80 | Polysorbate 80, also known as polyethylene glycol sorbitan monooleate, consists of sorbitol, ethylene oxide, and oleic acid. It has a molecular for... |
 |
Sorbitan Monopalmitate | Sorbitanesters and Polysorbates as nonionicoffer many advantages over ionic surfactants including increase stability, enhance flexibility and provi... |
 |
Polysorbate 20 | Polysorbate 20, also known as polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate. It consists of sorbitol, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid. It has a molecu... |
 |
Polysorbate 85 | Polysorbate 85, also known as polyoxyethylene 20 sorbitan trioleate, consists of sorbitol, ethylene oxide, and oleic acid. It has a molecular formu... |
Same products
 |
Sorbitan Monopalmitate | Seller: GUANGDONG RUNHUA CHEMISTRY CO., LTD. | Sorbitan monopalmitate, also known as sorbitan palmitate/SMP, is synthesized by the esterificatio... |
 |
Sorbitan monooleate | Seller: GUANGDONG RUNHUA CHEMISTRY CO., LTD. | What is sorbitan monooleate Sorbitan monooleate, also known as sorbitan oleate/SMO, is synthesiz... |
 |
Sorbitan Monolaurate | Seller: GUANGDONG RUNHUA CHEMISTRY CO., LTD. | Technical Information of Sorbitan Monolaurate According to GB25551-2010, other parameters are av... |
|
|
Sorbitan Esters | Seller: GUANGDONG RUNHUA CHEMISTRY CO., LTD. | Sorbitan ester surfactantare nonionic lipophilic surfactants that are commonly used as water-in-o... |
 |
Polysorbates | Seller: GUANGDONG RUNHUA CHEMISTRY CO., LTD. | Polyoxyethylene sorbitan esters, also known as polysorbates, are ethoxylated sorbitan esters. The... |
