Polysorbate 80

Polysorbate 80 (commercially also known as Tween&reg; 80, a trademark of Croda International Plc, previously Uniqema/ICI) is a nonionic detergent and emulsifier derived from polyoxylated sorbitol and oleic acid, and is often used in foods. Polysorbate 80 is a viscous, water-soluble yellow liquid. The hydrophilic groups in this compound are polyethers also known as polyoxyethylene groups which are polymers of ethylene oxide. In the nomenclature of polysorbates, the numeral designation following polysorbate refers to the lipophilic group, in this case the oleic acid (see polysorbate for more detail).

Polysorbate 80 is often used in ice cream to prevent milk proteins from completely coating the fat droplets. This allows them to join together in chains and nets, to hold air in the mixture, and provide a firmer texture, holding its shape as the ice cream melts.

Polysorbate 80 is also used in commercial pickle products.

Other names

 * Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate
 * (x)-sorbitan mono-9-octadecenoate poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl)
 * Tween&reg; 80
 * POE (20) sorbitan monooleate

Polysorbate 80 is also used in some eye drops (i.e. ROHTO cool redness reliever/lubricant eye drops)

Data
Tween 80's cmc is 1.2&times;10-5 M.