Comparing E491 - Sorbitan monostearate vs E495 - Sorbitan monopalmitate

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Overview

E491 - Sorbitan monostearate

Sorbitan monostearate (E491) is an emulsifier used to help oil and water mix and stay mixed in foods. It is an ester made from sorbitan (derived from sorbitol) and stearic acid, and it helps keep textures smooth and stable.

E495 - Sorbitan monopalmitate

Sorbitan monopalmitate (E495) is an emulsifier that helps fat and water mix. It stabilizes textures in foods like spreads, sweets, and baked goods, and it works well with other emulsifiers to keep products smooth and uniform.

Synonyms

E491

Sorbitan monostearate

E495

Sorbitan monopalmitate

Functions

emulsifier stabilizer

Origins

Products

Found in 2,328 products

Found in 0 products

Search rank & volume

#2461.8K / mo🇺🇸U.S.

#365250 / mo🇺🇸U.S.

Awareness score

×0.12

under-aware

Awareness data is not available.

Search volume over time

Interest over time for 2 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.