Sorbitan monolaurate
Score impact
0.00
points/product
Description
The food additive E493, known as sorbitan monolaurate, is a non-ionic emulsifier used in the food industry to stabilize water and oil mixtures, improve texture, and extend product shelf life. It belongs to the family of sorbitan esters, obtained from the reaction of sorbitol (a sugar alcohol) with fatty acids, in this case lauric acid, which is naturally found in coconut and palm oil.
Industrially, sorbitan monolaurate is produced by direct esterification of sorbitol with lauric acid under controlled temperature and pressure conditions, followed by purification processes such as distillation or crystallization. It is a waxy solid, white or yellowish, with a melting point between 50-60 °C, soluble in oils and partially soluble in water. Its main function is to reduce surface tension between immiscible phases, allowing the formation of stable emulsions.
In the European Union, E493 was authorized as a food additive after evaluations by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which established an Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) of 0-10 mg/kg body weight. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also evaluated it, confirming its safety at authorized use levels.
The overall safety assessment is favorable, considering it a safe additive for the general population when consumed within established limits. In product labeling, it must appear as 'sorbitan monolaurate' or with its E number (E493).
E493 is mainly used as an emulsifier in bakery products, pastries, chocolates, creams, ice cream, sauces, and margarines.
In the Spanish market, it is found in products such as sliced bread, muffins, cookies, chocolate coatings, spreads, and ice cream. Regulation EC 1333/2008 establishes maximum use limits, for example, 10 g/kg in fine bakery products, 5 g/kg in chocolates, and 3 g/kg in ice cream. The US FDA classifies it as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) for certain uses, without specific limits, while in Japan its use is permitted with restrictions similar to European ones. Comparatively, the EU is more restrictive in some products, such as chocolates, where the limit is lower than in the US.
Toxicological studies conducted by EFSA and WHO have not documented significant adverse effects in humans at estimated dietary exposure levels. In animals, a slight increase in liver and kidney weight was observed in chronic studies with very high doses (above 1000 mg/kg/day), but these are not considered relevant for human exposure. No genotoxic, carcinogenic, or teratogenic effects have been identified.
The biological mechanism of sorbitan monolaurate involves its hydrolysis in the intestine to sorbitol and lauric acid, both natural and safe compounds. Sensitive populations such as children or people with gastrointestinal disorders do not present additional risks, although sorbitol may have a laxative effect at high doses, but the amounts present are insignificant. No interactions with medications are known.
The conclusion of EFSA and WHO is that E493 is safe under authorized conditions of use, without the need to establish a numerical ADI in some cases, although the 0-10 mg/kg ADI is maintained.
- Sorbitan ester of lauric acid
- Sorbitan monolaurate
- Span 20
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