Sorbitan monopalmitate
{{short description|Food additive, E495}}
{{Chembox
| ImageFile = Sorbitan monopalmitate.svg
| ImageSize = 250px
| IUPACName = 1,4-Anhydro-D-glucitol 6-hexadecanoate
| SystematicName = (2R)-2-[(2R,3R,4S)-3,4-Dihydroxyoxolan-2-yl]-2-hydroxyethyl hexadecanoate
| OtherNames = {{Unbulleted list|Sorbitan palmitate|Span 40|E495}}
| Section1 = {{Chembox Identifiers
| CASNo = 26266-57-9
| CASNo_Ref = {{cascite|correct|CAS}}
| UNII_Ref = {{fdacite|correct|FDA}}
| UNII = 77K6Z421KU
| PubChem = 14927
| SMILES =
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| Section2 = {{Chembox Properties
| C=22|H=42|O=6
| Appearance =
| Density =
| MeltingPtC = 46-47
| MeltingPt_ref = {{Cite web | url = https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/catalog/product/aldrich/388920 | title = Sorbitan monopalmitate | publisher = Sigma-Aldrich }}
| BoilingPt =
| Solubility =
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| Section3 = {{Chembox Hazards
| MainHazards =
| FlashPtC = 113
| AutoignitionPt =
}}
}}
Sorbitan monopalmitate (SMP) is a food additive,{{cite web |title=Compound Summary for CID 14927 - Sorbitan Monopalmitate |url=https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/14927 |website=PubChem}} permitted by the EU. It is entry E495 in the E number list of permitted food additives.{{cite web |title=E495 - Sorbitan monopalmitate, polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monopalmitate, polyoxethylene, Tween 40, sorbitan, monohexadecanoate.Polysorbate 40 |url=http://www.ukfoodguide.net/e495.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030912212954/http://ukfoodguide.net/e495.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-date=September 12, 2003 |website=The UK Food Guide}}
It is also known under the trade name Span 40.{{cite web |title=E 495: Sorbitane mono palmitate |url=http://www.food-info.net/uk/e/e495.htm |website=FOOD-INFO}}
Synopsis
Sorbitan monopalmitate has been known since at least 1959.{{cite journal |last1=BELL Jr. |first1=JT |title=Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monopalmitate (tween 40) as a vehicle for oil red O fat stain |journal=Stain Technology |date=1959 |volume=34 |issue=4 |pages=219–21 |pmid=13668771 |doi=10.3109/10520295909114678 }}
Around 2000, SMP was permitted by the EU in bakery products, icings, marmalades, simulations of milk and cream, beverage whiteners, liquid concentrates of fruit and herbs, sorbets, emulsified sauces, food supplements and chewing gum amongst others.
SMP is a polysorbate that is derived from the mixture of partial esters of sorbitol treated with palmitic acid. SMP is a lipophilic surfactant. It may be found in combination with polysorbates. It is used to modify crystallisation of fats. It is insoluble in water.{{cite web |title=E495 (Sorbitan Monopalmitate) (SMP) |url=http://www.ervesa.com/index.php/home/83-products/123-e495-sorbitan-monopalmitat |publisher=ERVESA}} Up to 25 mg/kg bodyweight can be processed by humans. SMP is metabolized to sorbitol and palmitic acid, without any apparent side effects. The use of animal fats, like pork, in the production of SMP is possible.