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Send EmailSorbitan Monostearate, Sorbitan Fatty Acid Ester, Monostearate Ester of Sorbitan, E491, 1338-41-6
E491, also known as Sorbitan Monostearate, is a food additive used as an emulsifier. Here's a detailed overview:
Properties:
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Appearance: Waxy solid, white to light yellow in color.
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Solubility: Insoluble in water but mixes well with oils.
Applications:
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Food Industry:
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Stabilizes emulsions in products like margarine, ice cream, and salad dressings.
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Improves texture and shelf life in baked goods and confectioneries.
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Enhances the rehydration of instant dry yeast.
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Other Uses:
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Used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and industrial applications for its emulsifying and stabilizing properties.
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Safety:
E491 is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) when used within recommended limits.
Other Names:
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Sorbitan Monostearate
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Sorbitan Fatty Acid Ester
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Monostearate Ester of Sorbitan
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The CAS (Chemical Abstracts Service) number for E491, also known as Sorbitan Monostearate, is 1338-41-6
Span Series Comparison Table
| Product | Chemical Name | Fatty Acid | E Number | HLB Value | Appearance | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Span 20 | Sorbitan monolaurate | Lauric acid (C12) | E432 | ~8.6 | Yellowish liquid | Food emulsifier, pharmaceutical carrier, cosmetic creams |
| Span 40 | Sorbitan monopalmitate | Palmitic acid (C16) | E494 | ~6.7 | Yellowish wax-like solid | Margarine, milk powder, pharmaceutical emulsions |
| Span 60 | Sorbitan monostearate | Stearic acid (C18) | E491 | ~4.7 | White/cream solid | Chocolate, margarine, tablet binder, cosmetics |
| Span 80 | Sorbitan monooleate | Oleic acid (C18:1, unsaturated) | E493 | ~4.3 | Dark yellow liquid | Water-in-oil emulsions, veterinary drugs, cosmetics |
| Span 85 | Sorbitan trioleate | Three oleic acid chains | E476 | ~1.8 | Dark yellow liquid | Very low HLB, stabilizer in oil-based systems |
Technical Notes
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HLB Values: Spans generally have low HLB values, making them suitable for oil-based emulsions.
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Combination with Tweens: They are often combined with Polysorbates (Tween series) to balance emulsification in food, pharma, and cosmetics.
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Applications:
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Food: margarine, chocolate, milk powder, coffee creamer
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Pharma: tablet binder, emulsifier in suspensions
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Cosmetics: creams, lotions, makeup formulations
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