| Synonyms | Sorbitan palmitate |
| Definition | A mixture of the partial esters of sorbitol and its anhydrides with edible, commercial palmitic acid |
| Einecs | 247-568-8 |
| Assay | Content not less than 95 % of a mixture of sorbitol, sorbitan, and isosorbide esters |
| Description | Light cream to tan-coloured beads or flakes or a hard, waxy solid with a slight characteristic odour |
| Identification | |
A.Solubility | Soluble at temperatures above its melting point in ethanol, methanol, ether, ethyl acetate, aniline, toluene, dioxane, petroleum ether and carbon tetrachloride. Insoluble in cold water but dispersible in warm water |
B.Congealing range | 45-47 oC |
C.Infrared absorption spectrum | Characteristic of a partial fatty acid ester of polyol |
| Purity | |
| Water | Not more than 2 % (Karl Fischer method) |
| Sulphate ash | Not more than 0,5 % |
| Acid value | Not more than 7,5 |
| Saponification value | Not less than 140 and not more than 150 |
| Hydroxyl value | Not less than 270 and not more than 305 |
| 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 |
| Heavy metals (as Pb) | Not more than 10 mg/kg |
