polysorbate

Any poly(ethylene glycol) derivative composed of PEG-ylated sorbitan [2-(1,2-dihydroxyethyl)tetrahydrofuran-3,4-diol] normally containing a total of 20 oxyethylene groups, with one or more of the terminal hydroxy groups esterified with a fatty acyl group. They are used as emulsifiers and dispersing agents in some pharmaceuticals products and as defoamers and emulsifiers in some foods.