Comparing E491 - Sorbitan monostearate vs E432 - Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate
Overview
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Found in 2,328 products
Found in 105 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 6 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Popular questions
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.
Is polysorbate 20 safe for skin?
Yes—it's widely used in cosmetics and is generally considered safe at typical use levels; regulatory reviews (e.g., Cosmetic Ingredient Review) support its safety, though some people may experience mild irritation or allergy.
What is the cmc of tween 20?
Approximately 0.007% w/v in water (~0.06 mM) at about 25°C; reported values vary with temperature, ionic strength, and formulation.
Is polysorbate 20 safe?
Yes—when used as a food additive within regulatory limits it’s considered safe; authorities such as JECFA have set an ADI of 0–25 mg/kg body weight per day for polysorbates.
Is polysorbate 20 toxic?
It has low toxicity at permitted food and cosmetic use levels; very high doses or parenteral exposure can cause adverse effects, and potential impurities (e.g., ethylene oxide/1,4-dioxane) are tightly controlled.
Is polysorbate 20 natural?
No—it's a synthetic surfactant made by ethoxylating sorbitan and esterifying with lauric acid, so it isn’t considered “natural,” even if some feedstocks are plant-derived.