1. A synthetic emulsifier and surfactant derived from sorbitol and fatty acids, used in food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics to blend oil and water-based ingredients.
Usage: technical; commonly abbreviated as PS followed by a number (e.g., polysorbate 80, polysorbate 20); food additive

Examples

• Polysorbate 80 is widely used in ice cream to improve texture and prevent separation.
• Many vaccines contain polysorbate as a stabilizer to maintain effectiveness during storage.
• The cosmetic formulation included polysorbate 20 to help mix the oil and water phases.
• Food manufacturers add polysorbate to salad dressings to keep ingredients from separating.
• Polysorbate compounds are generally recognized as safe by food regulatory agencies.