SORBITAN OLEATE- ▸ Emulsifier: Stabilizes water-in-oil emulsions in cosmetic, food, and industrial products.
- ▸ Demulsifier: Aids oil/water separation in petroleum-production processing.
- ▸ Textile finishing: Serves as a lubricant and softener for fibers and fabrics.
- ▸ Defoamer and dispersant: Controls foam and disperses solids in formulated systems.
A grade-specific Safety Data Sheet (SDS) — with the complete hazard classification, handling precautions, and transport information — is supplied with every shipment and available on request. Confirm all safety and regulatory details against the SDS for your specific grade.
Request SDS →Sorbitan monooleate (CAS 1338-43-8) is a nonionic surface-active ester of sorbitol and oleic acid. It is used as an emulsifier, stabilizer, and thickener in foods, cosmetics, and medicines, as a lubricant and softener in textiles, and as a surfactant and demulsifier in industrial systems.
Applications of Sorbitan Monooleate
| Sector | Use |
|---|---|
| Industrial | A water-in-oil emulsifier in lubricant and metalworking-fluid emulsions, an agrochemical adjuvant, and an emulsifier in emulsion polymerization. |
| Personal care & cosmetics | A W/O emulsifier and dispersant for creams, color cosmetics and oil-continuous systems, paired with Polysorbate 80 to set HLB. |
| Food & beverage | Emulsifier (E494) in emulsified and processed foods. |
| Pharmaceutical & life science | A nonionic excipient and W/O emulsifier. |
HLB and grade selection
Sorbitan Monooleate has an HLB of ~4.3, so it is lipophilic and oil-soluble and favours water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions. It is the oil-soluble partner to a hydrophilic polysorbate: pairing it with Polysorbate 80 (HLB ~15.0) lets you set a target system HLB for a stable emulsion, and it also serves as a consistency factor and dispersant. Grades range from multicompendial pharmaceutical (NF / USP / EP) and food (FCC) to technical/industrial, with kosher and halal certification available; match the grade and compendial status to your application and jurisdiction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is sorbitan monooleate used for?
Sorbitan monooleate (CAS 1338-43-8) is a nonionic ester of sorbitol and oleic acid used as an emulsifier and stabilizer for water-in-oil emulsions in cosmetic, food, and industrial products, as a demulsifier aiding oil/water separation in petroleum processing, as a textile lubricant and softener, and as a defoamer and dispersant in formulated systems.
What is sorbitan monooleate also known as?
Sorbitan monooleate (CAS 1338-43-8) is the oleate member of the sorbitan ester family. The NF designation indicates the grade conforms to the National Formulary monograph for that ingredient. Each lot ships with a Certificate of Analysis referencing the monograph.
What does the NF grade designation mean for sorbitan monooleate?
NF (National Formulary) signifies the material is produced and tested to the corresponding compendial monograph specifications. This grade is selected when formulators require compendial-quality documentation. Confirm your required compendial grade when requesting a quote.
Is sorbitan monooleate an ionic or nonionic surfactant, and what is its HLB?
It is a low-HLB nonionic surfactant (sorbitol oleate ester), which suits it to water-in-oil emulsions and demulsification rather than high-foam aqueous systems. Refer to the technical data sheet for the HLB value and the SDS for handling.
What is the cost of bulk sorbitan monooleate NF?
Bulk pricing depends on order volume and packaging (drums or totes). Submit a bulk RFQ with your quantity and delivery point and we will return a current quote with Certificate of Analysis and SDS.