Sorbitan monostearate is a chemical compound, the monoester of stearic acid and hexitol anhydrides derived from sorbitol. Sorbitol esters are mono-, di- and triesters of fatty acids and hexitol anhydrides and are derived from sorbitol.

It appears as a white or yellowish powder.

What it is used for and where

Cosmetics

It is a hydrophobic non-ionic surfactant, gelling a number of organic solvents such as hexadecane, isopropyl myristate and a range of vegetable oils.

Surfactant - Emulsifying agent. Emulsions are thermodynamically unstable. Emulsifiers have the property to reduce the oil/water or water/oil interfacial tension, improve emulsion stability and also directly influence the stability, sensory properties and surface tension of sunscreens by modulating their filmometric performance. 

From the point of view of health safety, no problems were highlighted.

Food

Ingredient included in the list of European food additives as E491,  with an emulsifying function.

Medical

Sorbitan monostearate-based organogels have also been developed for pharmaceutical applications (1).

Sorbitan monostearate can increase the loading capacity of drugs in lipid polymer nanocapsules (2).

Molecular Formula   C₂₄H₄₆O₆

Molecular Weight  430.626

CAS  1338-41-6,   5093-91-4,   56451-84-4 

Synonyms :

Span 60, Sorbitan stearate, FEMA 3028, Arlacel 60

References______________________________________________________________________

(1) Peyronel F, Marangoni AG. In search of confectionary fat blends stable to heat: hydrogenated palm kernel oil stearin with sorbitan monostearate. Food Res Int. 2014;55:93–102. doi: 10.1016/j.foodres.2013.10.036.

(2) Poletto FS, De Oliveira CP, Wender H, Regent D, Donida B, Teixeira SR, Guterres SS, Rossi-Bergmann B, Pohlmann AR. How Sorbitan Monostearate Can Increase Drug-Loading Capacity of Lipid-Core Polymeric Nanocapsules.  J Nanosci Nanotechnol