Uses

Emulsifiers made by reacting ethylene oxide with sorbitan esters to increase their hydrophilic properties. They are generally used in oil and water emulsions in combination with lipophilic emulsifiers such as mono and diglycerides or sorbitan monostearates to produce a wide variety of effects. They are also termed polysorbates, which include polysorbate 80 (polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate), polysorbate 60 (polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate), and polysorbate 65 (polyoxyethylene sorbitan tristearate). They can solubilize essential and vitamin oils. They are used in panned coatings to reduce panning time, in coffee whiteners to prevent oiling-off, and in ice cream to produce dryness and overrun. Typical usage level ranges from 0.05 to 0.10%.