https://www.huanachemical.com/products/sorbitan-esters/
Sorbitan esters are nonionic lipophilic surfactants that are commonly used as water-in-oil (W/O) emulsifiers and stabilizers. Sorbitan fatty acid esters are produced by esterification of dehydrated sorbitol (sorbitan) with a variety of fatty acids. Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol that can be obtained by the reduction of glucose or derived from corn, potatoes, etc. The fatty acids commonly used to synthesize sorbitan esters include lauric acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, and oleic acid.
As sorbitan esters have numerous functions, our range of surfactants is used in a variety of settings, for example, as an emulsifier in food, a stabilizer in a cosmetic cream formulation, or a cosolvent and antirust agent for petroleum and oil. These surfactants are sourced from vegetables and vegan friendly. They are safe and nontoxic as food additives when used according to regulations.
Our range of sorbitan esters has a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) between 1.6 - 8.6, which make them dissolvable in polar organic solvents and oils. When used in combination with varying proportions of ethoxylated sorbitan esters (polysorbate) that have an HLB range between 10.0 – 16.7, it creates more versatile surfactants; which can produce W/O or oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions with varying levels of consistencies, expanding the possible applications of these surfactants.
Synthesized from lauric acid
Has an HLB value of 8.6,soluble in isopropanol,mineral oil,liquid paraffin etc.
Synthesized from palmitic acid
Has an HLB value of 6.7, soluble in ethanol, ethyl acetate toluene etc. Can disperse in hot water.
Synthesized from stearic acid
Has an HLB value of 4.7, soluble in ethanol, toluene. Can be dispersed in warm water.
Synthesized from stearic acid
Has an HLB value of 2.1, can be dispersed in petroleum ether, mineral oil, vegetable oil. Difficult to dissolve in toluene, ether and ethyl acetate.
Synthesized from oleic acid
Has an HLB value of 4.3, soluble in ethanol, ethyl acetate, petroleum ether, etc. Can disperse in hot water.
Synthesized from oleic acid
Has an HLB value of 3.7, soluble in ethanol, ethyl acetate, petroleum ether etc. Insoluble in water.
Synthesized from oleic acid
Has an HLB value of 1.8, soluble in mineral oil and vegetable oil. Hardly soluble in ethyl acetate and petroleum ether.
Advantages of Huana's Sorbitan Ester
Multi-purpose surfactants
Not only serve as emulsifiers, but also as stabilizers, wetting agents, dispersants, lubricants, thickeners etc.
Multi-market applications
Our sorbitan ester products can be used in food, feed, pharmaceutical, industrial and cosmetic.
We have 7 kinds of sorbitan esters, that differ by the fatty acids used to esterify sorbitans. Each surfactant has a different hlb value, suitable for use in different product formulations.
Vegetarian & vegan friendly
All of our sorbitan esters are made of ingredients sourced and derived from plants.
Products and packaging can be customized according to clients' needs
FAQs of Our Sorbitan Ester
What is the difference between non-ionic and ionic surfactants?
Compare to ionic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants are less sensitive to acidity or alkalinity.
What is a water-in-oil (W/O) emulsifier?
What is sorbitan ester made of?
Is sorbitol the same as sorbitan?