In a number of various artificial food additives, the substance E435 contributes to the stabilization of taste characteristics, and also causes emulsification of food products. Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate or tween 60 are synonymous names for the substance E435, which is, in fact, a derivative of sorbitol.
Characteristics and application of the substance
According to external signs, polyoxyethylene is a fatty liquid or semi-gel. The pure color of E435 emulsifier can vary from bright yellow to orange-orange. In addition, polyoxyethylene sorbitan has a specific odor and a bitter taste.
This emulsifier is used in various industries, being both a stabilizer, a foaming agent, and a dispersing agent.
The chemical E435 can be used as an antifoam or bread dough improver. Polysorbates have a pronounced emulsifying effect, since their occurrence is associated with complex chemical reactions. But at the same time, they have absolutely no dependence on the properties of the dispersed phases, which makes it possible to use the E435 preservative for the production of all kinds of fats for baking, margarines, ice cream, and dough.
Polyoxyethylene is used in animal feed, to stabilize candle wax, as a thickener in personal care products, and as an ingredient in soil preparations.
Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate is obtained during the chemical reaction of polymerization of lauric acid and sorbitan into an ester in a solution of ethylene oxide.
The result of this reaction is not only the receipt of pure E435 emulsifier in the residue, but also the natural formation of impurities – polyoxyethylene, solvent residues, glycols and free fatty acids.
All of the above substances-impurities cause the food additive E435 an average level of danger to human health.
So that Twin 60 cannot negatively affect human health, experts have determined the maximum allowable norms of a substance that can be eaten. For an adult, this norm is considered to be 25 milligrams of polyoxyethylene sorbitan per 1 kilogram of body weight during the day.
Harm to the body
The level of danger for human consumption of E435 emulsifier inside is defined as medium. However, after the generally accepted definition of the level of danger, specialists conducted additional studies of both the constituent components and the chemical properties of this substance.
It turned out that the food stabilizer tween 60 can cause significant harm to the human body if eaten as part of food. This is why polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate is a banned substance for food use in many countries around the world. But even today it is still sometimes used for the manufacture of many types of flour, as well as an emulsifier and shaping agent for various food products.
It is strictly forbidden to use food products that may contain the food additive e435 for those people who suffer from intolerance to propylene glycol. Due to the chemical nature of the occurrence of the substance, there is no benefit for the human body.
Subject to the daily norms for the use of the food additive E435 by a person, this substance is approved for use in food production in many countries of Europe, America, Russia and Ukraine.