Polysorbate 80 is what type of surfactant?

Unlock all questions

This demo includes only 20 questions. Upgrade to access hundreds of questions, flashcards, exam simulations, and disable ads.

Full question bankExam simulationsFlashcards
From $24.99Unlock all

Master the Pharmaceutics II Exam with our comprehensive resources. Study with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each with detailed explanations and solutions. Prepare effectively for success!

Multiple Choice

Polysorbate 80 is what type of surfactant?

Explanation:
Surfactants are classified by the charge on their hydrophilic head group. Polysorbate 80 has no permanent charge—the polyoxyethylene chains and the sorbitan-based ester provide polarity without ionizable groups—so it behaves as a nonionic surfactant. This makes it less sensitive to changes in pH and electrolytes compared with ionic surfactants, which is why it’s widely used as a mild emulsifier and solubilizer in pharmaceutical and food applications. The other types (cationic, anionic, zwitterionic) carry positive, negative, or both charges, respectively, and polysorbate 80 does not have those charged groups, so it does not fit those categories.

Surfactants are classified by the charge on their hydrophilic head group. Polysorbate 80 has no permanent charge—the polyoxyethylene chains and the sorbitan-based ester provide polarity without ionizable groups—so it behaves as a nonionic surfactant. This makes it less sensitive to changes in pH and electrolytes compared with ionic surfactants, which is why it’s widely used as a mild emulsifier and solubilizer in pharmaceutical and food applications. The other types (cationic, anionic, zwitterionic) carry positive, negative, or both charges, respectively, and polysorbate 80 does not have those charged groups, so it does not fit those categories.

More Multiple Choice Questions
Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy