| Synonyms | Polysorbate 20 |
| Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate |
| Definition | A mixture of the partial esters of sorbitol and its mono- and dianhydrides with edible commercial lauric acid and condensed with approximately 20 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of sorbitol and its anhydrides |
| Assay | Content not less than 70 % of oxyethylene groups, equivalent to not less than 97,3 % of polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate on the anhydrous basis |
| Description | A lemon to amber-coloured oily liquid at 25 oC with a faint characteristic odour |
| Identification | |
A.Solubility | Soluble in water, ethanol, methanol, ethyl acetate and dioxane. Insoluble in mineral oil and petroleum ether |
B.Infrared absorption spectrum | Characteristic of a partial fatty acid ester of a polyoxyethylated polyol |
| Purity | |
| Water | Not more than 3 % (Karl Fischer method) |
| Acid value | Not more than 2 |
| Saponification value | Not less than 40 and not more than 50 |
| Hydroxyl value | Not less than 96 and not more than 108 |
| 1,4-dioxane | Not more than 5 mg/kg |
| Ethylene oxide | Not more than 0,2 mg/kg |
| Ethylene glycols (mono- and di-) | Not more than 0,25 % |
| Arsenic | Not more than 3 mg/kg |
| Lead | Not more than 5 mg/kg |
| Mercury | Not more than 1 mg/kg |
| Cadmium | Not more than 1 mg/kg |
