Comparing E210 - Benzoic acid vs E491 - Sorbitan monostearate
Overview
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Found in 386 products
Found in 2,328 products
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Search volume over time
Interest over time for 2 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Interest over time for 2 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Popular questions
Is benzoic acid soluble in water?
Only sparingly—about 3 g per liter at room temperature; its solubility increases in hot water and it dissolves readily in many organic solvents.
Is benzoic acid polar?
It has a polar carboxyl group but a nonpolar aromatic ring, so overall it’s only weakly polar; its benzoate salt is much more polar and water‑soluble.
Is benzoic acid a strong acid?
No—it's a weak acid, with a pKa of about 4.2.
What is the melting point of benzoic acid?
About 122–123 °C (251–253 °F).
Is benzoic acid bad for you?
At approved food levels it’s considered safe, with an ADI of 0–5 mg/kg body weight/day; some people may experience irritation or hypersensitivity, and benzene formation in certain acidic drinks is monitored and kept very low.
Is sorbitan monostearate safe?
Yes—E491 is an approved food emulsifier; EFSA set a group ADI of 10 mg/kg body weight per day (expressed as sorbitan) for sorbitan esters, and it’s considered safe at permitted use levels.
Is sorbitan monostearate vegan?
Not always—the stearic acid can be sourced from either vegetable oils or animal fat, so vegan status depends on the supplier; check with the manufacturer for plant-derived sources.
What is sorbitan monostearate made from?
It’s an ester of sorbitan (from dehydrated sorbitol) and stearic acid, which can come from vegetable oils (e.g., palm/soy) or animal fat (tallow).
E491 what is it made from?
E491 is produced by reacting sorbitan (derived from sorbitol) with stearic acid; the stearic acid may be plant- or animal-derived.
How is sorbitan monostearate and sorbitan tristearate different?
Sorbitan monostearate (E491) has one stearic acid group, while sorbitan tristearate (E492) has three. The tri-ester is more lipophilic (lower HLB) and is used for stronger water-in-oil emulsification and fat crystal control compared with the mono-ester.