Polysorbate 80
Encyclopedia
Polysorbate 80 is a nonionic surfactant
and emulsifier derived from polyethoxylated
sorbitan
and oleic acid
, and is often used in foods. Polysorbate 80 is a viscous, water-soluble yellow liquid. The hydrophilic groups in this compound are polyether
s also known as polyoxyethylene groups which are polymers of ethylene oxide
. In the nomenclature of polysorbates, the numeric designation following polysorbate refers to the lipophilic group, in this case the oleic acid (see polysorbate
for more detail). Polysorbate 80 is often used in food and other products as an emulsifier.
Polysorbate 80 is also used in some eye drops (e.g., ROHTO cool redness reliever/lubricant eye drops).
of polysorbate 80 in pure water is reported as 0.012 mM.
proteins from completely coating the fat
droplets. This allows them to join together in chains and nets, which hold air in the mixture, and provide a firmer texture that holds its shape as the ice cream melts.
that is used to stabilize aqueous formulations of medications for parenteral
administration, and used as an emulsifier in the manufacture of the popular anti-arrhythmic amiodarone
. It is also used as an excipient in some European and Canadian influenza vaccines. It is also used in the culture of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
in Middlebrook 7H9 broth.
(enzyme that breaks up lipid
molecules). When added to a mixture of Tween 80 and phenol red
, they cause the solution to change colour, so this is used as a test to identify the phenotype
of a strain or isolate.
In general, polysorbate 80 is safe and well-tolerated, although a small number of people may be sensitive to this substance, and it may be harmful to people with Crohn's disease
.
Rats fed with diets containing up to 5% polysorbate 80 by volume for 12 weeks showed no toxic effects, however, the levels of polysorbate 80 used in the study were determined based on an assumed maximum human consumption of 750 mg per day, and the study did find statistically significant differences in efficiency of caloric utilization. Polysorbate 80 is not carcinogenic. A 1956 study saw no effect on reproduction in rats at up to 5% of their diet being polysorbate 80, although reproduction decreased at 20% of the diet (duration of study?). A 1993 study raised concerns that polysorbate 80 might decrease fertility in rats. A 1997 study on two rats looked at the effect of consuming three doses by body weight of 0.5%/day on the sex organs of female rats and saw no abnormal changes in uterine weight, note that this does not take into account myriad possible epigenetic, or even physically observable differences in structure and function. (duration of study?); this is equivalent to a 70 kg person consuming about 350 g per day for three days. A 2008 study concluded that there was no observable adverse effects at doses per body weight of up to 1.85 ml/kg·day, which is equivalent to a 70 kg person consuming about 140 g of this substance per day for 21 days. However, administration of 16.783 ml/kg·day to pregnant rats lowered body weight in male and female offspring. This is equivalent to a person consuming about 1.3 kg of polysorbate 80 per day for 21 days.
Surfactant
Surfactants are compounds that lower the surface tension of a liquid, the interfacial tension between two liquids, or that between a liquid and a solid...
and emulsifier derived from polyethoxylated
Ethoxylation
Ethoxylation is an industrial process in which ethylene oxide is added to alcohols and phenols to give surfactants. The invention of the process is attributed to Schöller and Wittwer at I.G. Farben industrie.-Production:...
sorbitan
Sorbitan
Sorbitan is a mixture of chemical compounds derived from the dehydration of sorbitol. The mixture can vary, but usually consists of 1,4-anhydrosorbitol, 1,5-anhydrosorbitol and 1,4,3,6-dianhydrosorbitol...
and oleic acid
Oleic acid
Oleic acid is a monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid found in various animal and vegetable fats. It has the formula CH37CH=CH7COOH. It is an odorless, colourless oil, although commercial samples may be yellowish. The trans isomer of oleic acid is called elaidic acid...
, and is often used in foods. Polysorbate 80 is a viscous, water-soluble yellow liquid. The hydrophilic groups in this compound are polyether
Ether
Ethers are a class of organic compounds that contain an ether group — an oxygen atom connected to two alkyl or aryl groups — of general formula R–O–R'. A typical example is the solvent and anesthetic diethyl ether, commonly referred to simply as "ether"...
s also known as polyoxyethylene groups which are polymers of ethylene oxide
Ethylene oxide
Ethylene oxide, also called oxirane, is the organic compound with the formula . It is a cyclic ether. This means that it is composed of two alkyl groups attached to an oxygen atom in a cyclic shape . This colorless flammable gas with a faintly sweet odor is the simplest epoxide, a three-membered...
. In the nomenclature of polysorbates, the numeric designation following polysorbate refers to the lipophilic group, in this case the oleic acid (see polysorbate
Polysorbate
Polysorbates are a class of emulsifiers used in some pharmaceuticals and food preparation. They are often used in cosmetics to solubilize essential oils into water-based products. Polysorbates are oily liquids derived from PEG-ylated sorbitan esterified with fatty acids...
for more detail). Polysorbate 80 is often used in food and other products as an emulsifier.
Other names
- Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate
- (x)-sorbitan mono-9-octadecenoate poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl)
- Alkest TW 80
- Tween 80
- POE (20) sorbitan monooleate
- E433E numberE numbers are number codes for food additives that have been assessed for use within the European Union . They are commonly found on food labels throughout the European Union. Safety assessment and approval are the responsibility of the European Food Safety Authority...
Polysorbate 80 is also used in some eye drops (e.g., ROHTO cool redness reliever/lubricant eye drops).
Data
The critical micelle concentrationCritical micelle concentration
In colloidal and surface chemistry, the critical micelle concentration is defined as the concentration of surfactants above which micelles form and almost all additional surfactants added to the system go to micelles....
of polysorbate 80 in pure water is reported as 0.012 mM.
Food use
Polysorbate 80 is used as an emulsifier in foods, particularly in ice cream. Here, polysorbate is added to up to 0.5% (v/v) concentration and makes the ice cream smoother and easier to handle, as well as increasing its resistance to melting. Adding this substance prevents milkMilk
Milk is a white liquid produced by the mammary glands of mammals. It is the primary source of nutrition for young mammals before they are able to digest other types of food. Early-lactation milk contains colostrum, which carries the mother's antibodies to the baby and can reduce the risk of many...
proteins from completely coating the fat
Fat
Fats consist of a wide group of compounds that are generally soluble in organic solvents and generally insoluble in water. Chemically, fats are triglycerides, triesters of glycerol and any of several fatty acids. Fats may be either solid or liquid at room temperature, depending on their structure...
droplets. This allows them to join together in chains and nets, which hold air in the mixture, and provide a firmer texture that holds its shape as the ice cream melts.
Medical use
Polysorbate 80 is an excipientExcipient
An excipient is generally a pharmacologically inactive substance used as a carrier for the active ingredients of a medication. In many cases, an "active" substance may not be easily administered and absorbed by the human body; in such cases the substance in question may be dissolved into or...
that is used to stabilize aqueous formulations of medications for parenteral
Parenteral
Parenteral is a route of administration that involves piercing the skin or mucous membrane. Parenteral nutrition refers to providing nutrition via the veins.-Etymology:...
administration, and used as an emulsifier in the manufacture of the popular anti-arrhythmic amiodarone
Amiodarone
Amiodarone is an antiarrhythmic agent used for various types of tachyarrhythmias , both ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias. Discovered in 1961, it was not approved for use in the United States until 1985...
. It is also used as an excipient in some European and Canadian influenza vaccines. It is also used in the culture of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a pathogenic bacterial species in the genus Mycobacterium and the causative agent of most cases of tuberculosis . First discovered in 1882 by Robert Koch, M...
in Middlebrook 7H9 broth.
Laboratory use
Some mycobacteria contain a type of lipaseLipase
A lipase is an enzyme that catalyzes the formation or cleavage of fats . Lipases are a subclass of the esterases.Lipases perform essential roles in the digestion, transport and processing of dietary lipids in most, if not all, living organisms...
(enzyme that breaks up lipid
Lipid
Lipids constitute a broad group of naturally occurring molecules that include fats, waxes, sterols, fat-soluble vitamins , monoglycerides, diglycerides, triglycerides, phospholipids, and others...
molecules). When added to a mixture of Tween 80 and phenol red
Phenol red
Phenol red is a pH indicator that is frequently used in cell biology laboratories.-Chemical structure and properties:...
, they cause the solution to change colour, so this is used as a test to identify the phenotype
Phenotypic testing of Mycobacteria
A variety of phenotypic tests can be used to identify and distinguish mycobacteria strains and species from each other.The most commonly used tests are described below:Acetamide, use as solce C and N source...
of a strain or isolate.
Consumption and potential effects
In Europe and America people eat about 100 mg of polysorbate 80 in foods per day. Influenza vaccines contain 0.000025 g of polysorbate 80 per dose.In general, polysorbate 80 is safe and well-tolerated, although a small number of people may be sensitive to this substance, and it may be harmful to people with Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease
Crohn's disease, also known as regional enteritis, is a type of inflammatory bowel disease that may affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract from mouth to anus, causing a wide variety of symptoms...
.
Rats fed with diets containing up to 5% polysorbate 80 by volume for 12 weeks showed no toxic effects, however, the levels of polysorbate 80 used in the study were determined based on an assumed maximum human consumption of 750 mg per day, and the study did find statistically significant differences in efficiency of caloric utilization. Polysorbate 80 is not carcinogenic. A 1956 study saw no effect on reproduction in rats at up to 5% of their diet being polysorbate 80, although reproduction decreased at 20% of the diet (duration of study?). A 1993 study raised concerns that polysorbate 80 might decrease fertility in rats. A 1997 study on two rats looked at the effect of consuming three doses by body weight of 0.5%/day on the sex organs of female rats and saw no abnormal changes in uterine weight, note that this does not take into account myriad possible epigenetic, or even physically observable differences in structure and function. (duration of study?); this is equivalent to a 70 kg person consuming about 350 g per day for three days. A 2008 study concluded that there was no observable adverse effects at doses per body weight of up to 1.85 ml/kg·day, which is equivalent to a 70 kg person consuming about 140 g of this substance per day for 21 days. However, administration of 16.783 ml/kg·day to pregnant rats lowered body weight in male and female offspring. This is equivalent to a person consuming about 1.3 kg of polysorbate 80 per day for 21 days.
Popular culture
Polysorbate-80 was mentioned in an ad during the 1980s health fad about chemicals in foods. The ad was for a competing product advertising its more natural ingredients and the "Mom" in the ad held the competing product and prounounced the ingredient "Polysorbate 80" in a derisive manner and presumably chose to purchase the product being advertised because of its more natural sounding ingredients. This was the message of health-focused product advertising during the decade of the 1980s.See also
- Polysorbate 20: Used as a wetting agent in mouth drops.
- Polysorbate 40
- Polysorbate 60: Used as an emulsifier in powdered drink preparations such as hot cocoa mix.
- Polysorbate 65
External links
- http://www.chemexper.com/index.shtml?main=http://www.chemexper.com/search/cas/9005-65-6.html