Polysorbate 80

Polysorbate 80[1]
IUPAC name Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate
Other names Alkest TW 80 Tween 80
Identifiers
CAS number	9005-65-6 Y
ChEMBL	CHEMBL1697847 N
RTECS number	WG2932500
Properties
Molecular formula	C64H124O26
Molar mass	1310 g/mol
Appearance	Amber colored viscous liquid
Density	1.06-1.09 g/mL, oily liquid
Boiling point	> 100°C
Solubility in water	Very soluble
Solubility in other solvents	soluble in ethanol, cottonseed oil, corn oil, ethyl acetate, methanol, toluene
Viscosity	300-500 centistokes (@25°C)
Hazards
Main hazards	Irritant
NFPA 704	0 1 0
Flash point	113 °C
N (verify) (what is: Y/N?) Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Infobox references

Polysorbate 80 (brand names include Alkest, Canarcel and Tween, which is a registered trademark of ICI Americas, Inc.)^[2] is a nonionic surfactant and emulsifier derived from polyethoxylated sorbitan and oleic acid, and is often used in foods. Polysorbate 80 is a viscous, water-soluble yellow liquid. The hydrophilic groups in this compound are polyethers also known as polyoxyethylene groups which are polymers of ethylene oxide. In the nomenclature of polysorbates, the numeric designation following polysorbate refers to the lipophilic group, in this case the oleic acid (see polysorbate for more detail). Polysorbate 80 is often used in food and other products as an emulsifier.

Other names

• Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate
• (x)-sorbitan mono-9-octadecenoate poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl)
• Alkest TW 80
• Tween 80
• POE (20) sorbitan monooleate
• E433

Polysorbate 80 is also used in some eye drops (e.g., ROHTO cool redness reliever/lubricant eye drops).

Data

The critical micelle concentration of polysorbate 80 in pure water is reported as 0.012 mM^[3].

Food use

Polysorbate 80 is used as an emulsifier in foods, particularly in ice cream. Here, polysorbate is added to up to 0.5% (v/v) concentration and makes the ice cream smoother and easier to handle, as well as increasing its resistance to melting.^[4] Adding this substance prevents milk proteins from completely coating the fat droplets. This allows them to join together in chains and nets, which hold air in the mixture, and provide a firmer texture that holds its shape as the ice cream melts.

Medical use

Polysorbate 80 is an excipient that is used to stabilize aqueous formulations of medications for parenteral administration, and used as an emulsifier in the manufacture of the popular anti-arrhythmic amiodarone. ^[5] It is also used as an excipient in some European and Canadian influenza vaccines.^[6] It is also used in the culture of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Middlebrook 7H9 broth.

Laboratory use

Some mycobacteria contain a type of lipase (enzyme that breaks up lipid molecules). When added to a mixture of Tween 80 and phenol red, they cause the solution to change colour, so this is used as a test to identify the phenotype of a strain or isolate.

Consumption and potential effects

In Europe and America people eat about 100 mg of polysorbate 80 in foods per day.^[7] Influenza vaccines contain 25 μg of polysorbate 80 per dose.^[6]

In general, polysorbate 80 is safe and well-tolerated, although a small number of people may be sensitive to this substance,^[8] and it may be harmful to people with Crohn's disease.^[9] Polysorbate 80 is not carcinogenic.^[10]

See also

• Polysorbate 20: Used as a wetting agent in mouth drops.
• Polysorbate 40
• Polysorbate 60: Used as an emulsifier in powdered drink preparations such as hot cocoa mix.
• Polysorbate 65

References

External links

• http://www.chemexper.com/index.shtml?main=http://www.chemexper.com/search/cas/9005-65-6.html