Span 60 Chemical Properties

Melting point:

54-57 °C(lit.)

Boiling point:

464.84°C (rough estimate)

Density 

1.00

vapor pressure 

<1.4 hPa (20 °C)

FEMA 

3028 | SORBITAN MONOSTEARATE

refractive index 

1.4593 (estimate)

Flash point:

>230 °F

storage temp. 

Store below +30°C.

solubility 

Practically insoluble, but dispersible in water, slightly soluble in alcohol.

form 

Solid

pka

13.63[at 20 ℃]

color 

Cream coloured flakes

Odor

Slight

Odor Type

bland

Water Solubility 

Soluble in ethanol (50 mg/ml), isopropanol, mineral oil and vegetable oil. Insoluble in water.

Merck 

14,8724

BRN 

6820761

Hydrophilic-Lipophilic Balance (HLB)

4.7

Exposure limits

ACGIH: TWA 10 mg/m3; TWA 3 mg/m3

Stability:

Stable. Combustible. Incompatible with strong oxidizing agents.

InChIKey

HVUMOYIDDBPOLL-XGKPLOKHSA-N

LogP

7.66

CAS DataBase Reference

1338-41-6(CAS DataBase Reference)

EPA Substance Registry System

Sorbitan monostearate (1338-41-6)

Safety Information

Risk Statements 

36/37/38

Safety Statements 

24/25

WGK Germany 

1

RTECS 

WG2933500

TSCA 

Yes

HS Code 

34021300

Hazardous Substances Data

1338-41-6(Hazardous Substances Data)

Toxicity

LD50 orally in Rabbit: 15900 mg/kg

MSDS

• Language:English Provider:Span 60
• Language:English Provider:SigmaAldrich
• Language:English Provider:ALFA

Span 60 Usage And Synthesis

Chemical Properties

Sorbitan monostearate has a bland odor and taste. It is a mixture of partial stearic and palmitic acid esters of sorbitol and its mono- and dianhydrides. For additional details of description, refer to Burdock (1997).

Uses

Glycomul(R) S KFG (Span 60) is used as emulsifier for baked goods, icings & filings and whipped toppings. It is also used as a rehydration aid (production of active dry yeast) and as synthetic flavoring substances and adjuvants. 
It has only a very faint, oily-waxy odor, and a bitter taste in concentrations higher than 1000 ppm. However, its insolubility in water, and the fact that it is used mostly with large amounts of sugar (and acid) account for the much higher use level without any serious influence upon the flavor of the finished product.

Food additive

Sorbitan Monostearate (Span 60) is a lipophilic emulsifier that is a sorbitan fatty acid ester, being a sorbitol-derived analog of glycerol monostearate. It is a nonionic, oil-dispersible surface-active agent. It is used as a gloss enhancer in chocolate coatings; as a dispersant aid in coffee whiteners; to increase volume in cakes and icings; and often in combination with polysorbates. Typical usage level ranges from 0.30 to 0.70%.

Preparation

Prepared by reacting edible commercial stearic acid (usually containing associated fatty acids, chiefly palmitic) with sorbitol.

Definition

ChEBI: Sorbitan monostearate is a fatty acid ester.

General Description

Span 60 is a sorbitan monoester than is used as a non-ionic detergent.

Flammability and Explosibility

Non flammable

Safety Profile

Very mildly toxic by ingestion. Experimental reproductive effects. A skin irritant. When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes.

Span 60 (1338-41-6)Related Product Information

• Triglycerol monostearate
• Metalaxyl
• Calcium stearate
• EMULSIFIER
• Polyoxyethylene stearate
• GLYCERYL MONOSTEARATE
• Magnesium stearate
• GLYCERYL MONOSTEARATE
• ETHYLENE GLYCOL MONOSTEARATE
• SORBITAN TRISTEARATE
• MANGANESE STEARATE
• Monostearin
• Tween 80
• Triton X-100
• Sorbitol
• Glyceryl monostearate
• PROPYLENE GLYCOL MONOSTEARATE (CONTAINS CA. 35% MONOPALMITATE)
• polysorbate 40