Applications in Various Industries:
- Food Industry: Used as an emulsifier and stabilizer in ice cream, baked goods, and sauces (FCC approved for food use).
- Cosmetic and Personal Care: Found in shampoos, lotions, and creams as an emulsifier and solubilizer.
- Pharmaceutical Industry: Used as a surfactant in drug formulations and injectables.
Where is Polysorbate 80 Found?
- Natural Sources: Not naturally occurring; it is a synthetic compound derived from sorbitol and oleic acid.
- Industrial Production: Produced by ethoxylating sorbitan monooleate with ethylene oxide.
- Consumer Products: Found in food products, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.