Polysorbate
Polysorbates are a class of emulsifiers used in some pharmaceuticals and food preparation. They are often used in cosmetics to solubilize essential oils into water-based products. Polysorbates are oily liquids derived from PEG-ylated sorbitan (a derivative of sorbitol) esterified with fatty acids. Common brand names for Polysorbates include Alkest, Canarcel and Tween.
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Safety [edit]
A study suggested that exposure to polysorbates was the cause of hypersensitive reactions in two patients.[1]
Examples [edit]
- Polysorbate 20 (Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate)
- Polysorbate 40 (Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monopalmitate)
- Polysorbate 60 (Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monostearate)
- Polysorbate 80 (Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate)
The number 20 following the polyoxyethylene part refers to the total number of oxyethylene -(CH2CH2O)- groups found in the molecule. The number following the polysorbate part is related to the type of fatty acid associated with the polyoxyethylene sorbitan part of the molecule. Monolaurate is indicated by 20, monopalmitate is indicated by 40, monostearate by 60 and monooleate by 80.
See also [edit]
- Sorbitan monolaurate
- Sorbitan monopalmitate
- Sorbitan monostearate
- Sorbitan tristearate
- Sorbitan monooleate
References [edit]
- ^ Steele RH, Limaye S, Cleland B, Chow J, Suranyi MG (2005). "Hypersensitivity reactions to the polysorbate contained in recombinant erythropoietin and darbepoietin". Nephrology (Carlton) 10 (3): 317–20. doi:10.1111/j.1440-1797.2005.00389.x. PMID 15958049.
External links [edit]
- NIH PEG-60 (Polysorbate 60) Household Products Database
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