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Emulsifier Tween T-60: A Nonionic Surfactant with Various Applications
2023/4/27
Emulsifier Tween T-60, also known as polysorbate 60 or polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate, is a type of nonionic surfactant that consists of a hydrophilic head group (polyoxyethylene sorbitan) and a lipophilic tail group (oleic acid). It has the chemical formula C64H126O26 and a molecular weight of 1310.6 g/mol. It is a yellow paste that is soluble in water, organic solvents, and insoluble in oil. It has a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) value of 14.9, which means it is suitable for stabilizing oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions.
Emulsifier Tween T-60 is produced by the ethoxylation of sorbitan, which is the dehydrated form of sorbitol, a sugar alcohol naturally found in some fruits. Sorbitan is reacted with 60 units of ethylene oxide, hence the 60 in the ingredient name. The final step is reacting with fatty acids from vegetable fats and oils, such as oleic acid.
Emulsifier Tween T-60 has various applications in different fields, such as:
- Food industry: Emulsifier Tween T-60 is used as an emulsifier, wetting agent, penetrating agent, diffusant, etc. in various food products, such as dairy products, ice cream, yogurt, cheese, bakery products, sauces, dressings, jams, beverages, etc. It can improve the texture, mouthfeel, stability, shelf-life, and appearance of food products. It can also act as a fat replacer or a dietary fiber in low-calorie or high-fiber foods. Emulsifier Tween T-60 is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA and has an acceptable daily intake limit of 0-25 mg/kg body weight.
- Pharmaceutical industry: Emulsifier Tween T-60 is used as an excipient or a drug delivery system in various dosage forms, such as tablets, capsules, granules, powders, suspensions, gels, ointments, eye drops, etc. It can enhance the solubility,
bioavailability,
stability,
release rate,
and bioadhesion of drugs. It can also act as a wound dressing or a mucoadhesive agent in topical or oral applications. Emulsifier Tween T-60 is also used as an emulsifier in some vaccines and injectable drugs.
- Cosmetic industry: Emulsifier Tween T-60 is used as a rheology modifier or a conditioning agent in various cosmetic products,
such as creams,
lotions,
shampoos,
conditioners,
toothpastes,
etc. It can improve the viscosity,
spreadability,
smoothness,
moisturization,
and foam stability of cosmetic formulations. It can also act as a protective film or a humectant on the skin or hair.
- Other industries: Emulsifier Tween T-60 can also be used for other purposes,
such as dyeing of fibers,
production of catalysts,
preparation of ceramic materials,
treatment of wastewater,
etc.
In conclusion,
emulsifier Tween T-60 is a versatile and effective nonionic surfactant that can be used for various applications in different fields. It has different properties and functions depending on
the concentration,the reaction conditions,and the desired products. It can be prepared by different methods and used in different ways according to the specific application requirements and objectives.
Emulsifier Tween T-60 is produced by the ethoxylation of sorbitan, which is the dehydrated form of sorbitol, a sugar alcohol naturally found in some fruits. Sorbitan is reacted with 60 units of ethylene oxide, hence the 60 in the ingredient name. The final step is reacting with fatty acids from vegetable fats and oils, such as oleic acid.
Emulsifier Tween T-60 has various applications in different fields, such as:
- Food industry: Emulsifier Tween T-60 is used as an emulsifier, wetting agent, penetrating agent, diffusant, etc. in various food products, such as dairy products, ice cream, yogurt, cheese, bakery products, sauces, dressings, jams, beverages, etc. It can improve the texture, mouthfeel, stability, shelf-life, and appearance of food products. It can also act as a fat replacer or a dietary fiber in low-calorie or high-fiber foods. Emulsifier Tween T-60 is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA and has an acceptable daily intake limit of 0-25 mg/kg body weight.
- Pharmaceutical industry: Emulsifier Tween T-60 is used as an excipient or a drug delivery system in various dosage forms, such as tablets, capsules, granules, powders, suspensions, gels, ointments, eye drops, etc. It can enhance the solubility,
bioavailability,
stability,
release rate,
and bioadhesion of drugs. It can also act as a wound dressing or a mucoadhesive agent in topical or oral applications. Emulsifier Tween T-60 is also used as an emulsifier in some vaccines and injectable drugs.
- Cosmetic industry: Emulsifier Tween T-60 is used as a rheology modifier or a conditioning agent in various cosmetic products,
such as creams,
lotions,
shampoos,
conditioners,
toothpastes,
etc. It can improve the viscosity,
spreadability,
smoothness,
moisturization,
and foam stability of cosmetic formulations. It can also act as a protective film or a humectant on the skin or hair.
- Other industries: Emulsifier Tween T-60 can also be used for other purposes,
such as dyeing of fibers,
production of catalysts,
preparation of ceramic materials,
treatment of wastewater,
etc.
In conclusion,
emulsifier Tween T-60 is a versatile and effective nonionic surfactant that can be used for various applications in different fields. It has different properties and functions depending on
the concentration,the reaction conditions,and the desired products. It can be prepared by different methods and used in different ways according to the specific application requirements and objectives.
