sorbitanu

Sorbitanu, commonly referred to in English as sorbitan, designates a family of cyclic dehydration products derived from the sugar alcohol sorbitol. These compounds arise from intramolecular dehydration of sorbitol and exist as mixtures of stereoisomers and ring forms. Sorbitan serves as the core structure, while fatty-acid esters of sorbitan are widely used as emulsifiers in various industries.

Chemistry and production

Sorbitan esters are produced by esterification of sorbitan with fatty acids, yielding compounds such as sorbitan monolaurate, monostearate, and monooleate. The resulting sorbitan esters are lipophilic emulsifiers that facilitate the stabilization of oil-in-water and water-in-oil systems. In many formulations, sorbitan esters are used in combination with polyoxyethylene chains to form polysorbates (such as Tween), which confer higher hydrophilic-lipophilic balance values and enable different emulsification properties.

Applications and usage

Sorbitan esters function as nonionic emulsifiers in foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical products. They are valued for their ability to stabilize emulsions, adjust texture, and aid in the dispersion of immiscible liquids. As ingredients, they are typically specified with regulatory limits and are chosen based on the desired balance of lipophilicity and compatibility with other formulation components.

Regulatory status and safety

Sorbitan esters are widely used and are generally considered safe when used within approved limits in foods and consumer products. Like all additives, they may cause allergies or sensitivities in rare cases, and regulatory agencies monitor concentrations and usage to ensure safety.

See also

Isosorbide, sorbitol, polysorbates.