Comparing E492 - Sorbitan tristearate vs E494 - Sorbitan monooleate

Overview

E492 - Sorbitan tristearate

Sorbitan tristearate (E492) is a food additive used to help oil and water mix and stay mixed. It gives smoother textures and more stable foams and creams in many foods. It is widely used as an emulsifier and stabiliser in the EU.

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E494 - Sorbitan monooleate

Sorbitan monooleate (E494) is a food-grade emulsifier that helps oil and water stay mixed. It is widely used to keep sauces, bakery fillings, and desserts smooth and stable without adding flavor. Regulators have evaluated it and set safe intake levels for its use in food.

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Synonyms
E492
Sorbitan tristearate
E494
Sorbitan monooleate
Functions
emulsifierstabilizer
emulsifierstabilizer
Origins
Plant
Animal
Synthetic
Plant
Animal
Synthetic
Products

Found in 447 products

Found in 2 products

Search rank & volume
#332420 / mo🇺🇸U.S.
#371220 / mo🇺🇸U.S.
Awareness score

×0.15
under-aware

×5.31
over-aware

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.

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Popular questions

  1. How is sorbitan monostearate and sorbitan tristearate different?

    Sorbitan monostearate (E491) has one stearate group, while sorbitan tristearate (E492) has three; this makes E492 more hydrophobic (lower HLB) and better for water‑in‑oil/fat stabilization, whereas E491 has a higher HLB and broader emulsifier uses (e.g., bakery).

  2. What is sorbitan tristearate made from?

    It’s produced by esterifying sorbitan (from dehydrated sorbitol) with stearic acid, which is typically sourced from vegetable oils (e.g., palm/soy) and can also be from animal fats.

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  1. What is polyoxyethylene 20 sorbitan monooleate?

    It’s polysorbate 80 (E433), an ethoxylated derivative of sorbitan monooleate used as an emulsifier; by contrast, E494 is the non-ethoxylated sorbitan monooleate (often called Span 80).

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