Sorbitan Monopalmitate, Sorbitan Mono Palmitate, Sorbitan Palmitate, SMP, Span 40, E495, 26266-57-9
SORBITAN MONOPALMITATE (SPAN 40 / E495)
CAS Number: 26266-57-9
EC Number (EINECS): 247-568-8
Molecular Formula: C₂₂H₄₂O₆
Molecular Weight: 402.57 g/mol
HLB Value: ~6.7
E Number: E495
SECTION 1: PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION AND CHEMICAL IDENTITY
| Parameter |
Description |
| Chemical Name (IUPAC) |
Sorbitan monopalmitate |
| Other Names |
Sorbitan Monopalmitate, Sorbitan Mono Palmitate, Palmitic Acid Ester of Sorbitan, Sorbitan Palmitate, SMP, Span 40 |
| CAS Number |
26266-57-9 |
| EC Number (EINECS) |
247-568-8 |
| E Number |
E495 |
| Molecular Formula |
C₂₂H₄₂O₆ |
| Molecular Weight |
402.57 g/mol |
| Chemical Class |
Sorbitan fatty acid ester (non-ionic surfactant) |
| HLB Value |
~6.7 |
| Appearance |
Cream-colored, wax-like solid or beads |
| Odor |
Mild, characteristic |
| Physical State |
Solid (wax-like) |
SECTION 2: PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES
| Property |
Value / Range |
| Molecular Formula |
C₂₂H₄₂O₆ |
| Molecular Weight |
402.57 g/mol |
| Appearance |
Cream-colored, wax-like solid |
| Odor |
Mild, characteristic |
| HLB Value |
~6.7 |
| Melting Point |
~45-50°C |
| Density |
~1.0 g/cm³ |
| Solubility in Water |
Insoluble |
| Solubility in Oils |
Soluble |
| Solubility in Organic Solvents |
Soluble in ethanol, acetone, ether, chloroform |
| Acid Value |
≤ 10 mg KOH/g |
| Saponification Value |
140-155 mg KOH/g |
| Iodine Value |
≤ 2.0 g I₂/100g |
| Hydroxyl Value |
250-290 mg KOH/g |
| Water Content |
≤ 2.0% |
| Ash Content |
≤ 0.5% |
SECTION 3: SOLUBILITY PROFILE
| Solvent |
Solubility |
Condition |
| Water |
Insoluble |
- |
| Mineral Oil |
Soluble |
Hot |
| Vegetable Oils |
Soluble |
Hot |
| Ethanol |
Soluble |
Hot |
| Acetone |
Soluble |
Hot |
| Chloroform |
Soluble |
- |
| Propylene Glycol |
Slightly soluble |
- |
| Glycerin |
Insoluble |
- |
Critical Note: Sorbitan monopalmitate is insoluble in water but soluble in oils and organic solvents. Its low HLB value (~6.7) makes it suitable for water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions.
SECTION 4: SPAN SERIES COMPARISON TABLE
| Property |
Span 20 |
Span 40 |
Span 60 |
Span 80 |
Span 85 |
| Chemical Name |
Sorbitan monolaurate |
Sorbitan monopalmitate |
Sorbitan monostearate |
Sorbitan monooleate |
Sorbitan trioleate |
| Fatty Acid |
Lauric acid (C12) |
Palmitic acid (C16) |
Stearic acid (C18) |
Oleic acid (C18:1) |
Trioleic acid |
| E Number |
E432 |
E494 |
E491 |
E493 |
E476 |
| HLB Value |
~8.6 |
~6.7 |
~4.7 |
~4.3 |
~1.8 |
| Appearance |
Yellowish liquid |
Cream solid |
White/cream solid |
Dark yellow liquid |
Dark yellow liquid |
| Emulsion Type |
W/O |
W/O |
W/O |
W/O |
W/O |
| Main Use |
Food, cosmetics |
Food, pharmaceutical |
Chocolate, cosmetics |
Cosmetics, veterinary |
Very low HLB |
SECTION 5: FUNCTIONAL PROPERTIES
| Property |
Description |
| Emulsifier Type |
Non-ionic surfactant |
| Emulsion Type |
Water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions |
| HLB Value |
~6.7 (suitable for oil-phase systems) |
| Dispersion |
Dispersible in oil phase |
| Stabilization |
Stabilizes emulsions, prevents separation |
| Texture Improvement |
Provides smooth texture to products |
| Combination |
Synergistic effect with high HLB surfactants (Tween series) |
SECTION 6: MAJOR APPLICATIONS AND END-USES
6.1. Food Industry (Most Important Application)
| Application |
Function |
Suitability |
| Margarine |
Emulsifier, stabilizer |
High |
| Milk Powder |
Dispersion aid |
High |
| Coffee Creamer |
Emulsion stabilizer |
High |
| Chocolate |
Viscosity modifier |
High |
| Ice Cream |
Provides smooth texture |
High |
| Bakery Products |
Texture and stability improver |
High |
| Sauces |
Emulsion stabilizer |
High |
| Desserts |
Prevents separation, provides texture |
High |
6.2. Pharmaceutical Industry
| Application |
Function |
Suitability |
| Pharmaceutical Emulsions |
Emulsifier, stabilizer |
High |
| Tablet Binder |
Binding agent |
High |
| Capsule Formulations |
Excipient |
High |
| Topical Preparations |
Emulsifier |
High |
6.3. Cosmetics and Personal Care
| Application |
Function |
Suitability |
| Creams and Lotions |
Emulsifier, thickener |
High |
| Makeup Products |
Emulsion stabilizer |
High |
| Sunscreens |
Emulsifier |
High |
| Hair Care Products |
Emulsifier |
High |
| Body Lotions |
Emulsifier, moisturizer |
High |
SECTION 7: INDUSTRY SUITABILITY MATRIX
| Industry |
Suitability |
Explanation |
| Food Industry |
High |
Emulsifier (E495), stabilizer |
| Pharmaceutical Industry |
High |
Emulsifier, tablet binder |
| Cosmetics |
High |
Emulsifier, thickener |
| Textile |
Low |
No direct use |
| Agriculture |
Low |
Limited use |
| Paints |
Low |
Limited use |
SECTION 8: FOOD SUITABILITY MATRIX
| Food Category |
Suitability |
Explanation |
| Margarine |
High |
Emulsifier, stabilizer |
| Milk Powder |
High |
Dispersion aid |
| Coffee Creamer |
High |
Emulsion stabilizer |
| Chocolate |
High |
Viscosity modifier |
| Ice Cream |
High |
Provides smooth texture |
| Bakery Products |
High |
Texture and stability improver |
| Sauces |
High |
Emulsion stabilizer |
| Desserts |
High |
Prevents separation |
SECTION 9: OTHER NAMES AND IDENTIFIERS
| Type |
Name / Description |
| Turkish Names |
Sorbitan Monopalmitat, Sorbitan Yağ Asidi Esterleri, Yağ Asidi Sorbitan Esterleri |
| English Names |
Sorbitan Monopalmitate, Sorbitan Palmitate, Palmitic Acid Ester of Sorbitan, Span 40 |
| E Number |
E495 |
| CAS Number |
26266-57-9 |
| EC Number |
247-568-8 |
| HLB Value |
~6.7 |
SECTION 10: TOXICOLOGY AND SAFETY
| Parameter |
Value / Description |
| GHS Classification |
Not classified |
| Oral LD50 (Rat) |
> 10,000 mg/kg |
| Skin Irritation |
Mild irritant |
| Eye Irritation |
Mild irritant |
| Skin Sensitization |
Not sensitizing |
| Mutagenicity |
Negative |
| Carcinogenicity |
Not classified |
| Regulatory Status |
EU (E495), USA (GRAS), JECFA approved |
| Safety |
Safe within recommended usage limits |
| Target Organs |
Skin, eyes (mild irritation) |
SECTION 11: SAFETY AND STORAGE
| Parameter |
Information |
| Storage Conditions |
Cool, dry, well-ventilated area |
| Temperature |
15-25°C (room temperature) |
| Container |
Tightly closed, original packaging |
| Light Protection |
Protect from direct sunlight |
| Moisture Sensitivity |
Protect from moisture |
| Shelf Life |
24 months (under recommended conditions) |
| Packaging |
25 kg bags, 50 kg drums |
SECTION 12: TRANSPORT INFORMATION
| Parameter |
Information |
| UN Number |
Not regulated (not dangerous goods) |
| Hazard Class |
Not applicable |
| Packing Group |
Not applicable |
| Proper Shipping Name |
Sorbitan Monopalmitate |
| ADR/RID |
Not regulated |
| IMDG Code |
Not regulated |
| IATA (Air) |
Not regulated |
| Marine Pollutant |
No |
SECTION 13: FIRE-FIGHTING MEASURES
| Parameter |
Information |
| Fire Hazard |
Combustible solid |
| Extinguishing Media |
Water fog, CO₂, dry chemical, foam |
| Special Hazards |
When heated, releases CO, CO₂ |
| Decomposition Products |
CO, CO₂ |
| Protective Equipment |
Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), full protective clothing |
SECTION 14: ACCIDENTAL RELEASE AND CLEANUP
| Parameter |
Information |
| Personal Protection |
Gloves, safety goggles |
| Cleanup Methods |
Collect mechanically; dispose in sealed containers |
| Environmental Precautions |
Prevent entry into drains |
| Waste Disposal |
According to local regulations |
SECTION 15: REGULATORY INFORMATION
| Region / Authority |
Status |
| EU REACH |
Registered |
| Turkey KKDİK |
Registration required |
| USA TSCA |
Listed |
| USA FDA |
GRAS (food additive) |
| EU Food Additives |
Approved as E495 |
| JECFA |
Approved |
| EINECS |
247-568-8 |
| WGK (Germany) |
1 (slight hazard to water) |
SECTION 16: SUMMARY AND CRITICAL WARNINGS
Product Summary
| Parameter |
Value |
| Product |
Sorbitan Monopalmitate (Span 40 / E495) |
| CAS |
26266-57-9 |
| Appearance |
Cream-colored, wax-like solid |
| HLB Value |
~6.7 |
| Melting Point |
~45-50°C |
| Key Industries |
Food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics |
CRITICAL WARNINGS
-
Low HLB Value (~6.7): Sorbitan monopalmitate has a low HLB value, making it suitable for water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions. Combination with high HLB surfactants (Tween series) provides the desired emulsion balance.
-
Food Emulsifier (E495): Used as an emulsifier and stabilizer in margarine, milk powder, coffee creamer, chocolate, ice cream, and bakery products in the food industry.
-
Effective in Oil-Phase Systems: Insoluble in water but mixes well with oils. Provides dispersion and stabilization in oil-phase systems.
-
Span Series Difference: The difference between Span 40 (palmitic acid), Span 20 (lauric acid), and Span 60 (stearic acid) is the fatty acid chain length and HLB value. The palmitic acid chain (C16) provides balanced properties.
-
Pharmaceutical Applications: Used as an emulsion carrier, tablet binder, and excipient in capsule formulations in the pharmaceutical industry.
-
Cosmetic Applications: Used as an emulsifier and thickener in creams, lotions, makeup products, and sunscreens.
-
Safety: Low toxicity compound (LD₅₀ > 10,000 mg/kg). Considered safe for food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic applications.
-
Solid Form: Wax-like solid at room temperature. May require heating before use.
-
Combination with Tween: Combination with high HLB surfactants such as Tween 20, 40, 60, 80 provides a wide range of emulsion systems.
-
Regulatory Status: Approved by EU (E495), USA (GRAS), and JECFA. Widely used as a food additive.
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: This Technical Data Sheet (TDS) is for informational purposes only and is based on available technical data. The user is solely responsible for determining the product's suitability for their specific application and for complying with all applicable local, national, and international regulations. For complete safety, storage, handling, transportation, disposal, and regulatory compliance information, always refer to the official Safety Data Sheet (SDS/MSDS) provided by the manufacturer/supplier. Users are responsible for testing the product in their own processes and applications. All local, national, and international regulations must be followed when working with Sorbitan Monopalmitate.
