Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate (tween 20) is a non-ionic surfactant that is widely used as an emulsifier and stabilizer in pharmaceutical formulations, food and cosmetic industries.

TWEEN 20 is a frequently used member of the polysorbate family. These have been used as emulsifying agents for the preparation of stable oil-in- water emulsions. 4 TWEEN 20 has been used in pre- extraction of membranes to remove peripheral proteins (used at 2% for extraction of membrane- bound proteins).

Doses administered were 1 g/kg orally and 0.5 g/kg

sorbitan mono-9-octadecanoate poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl) derivatives; complex mixtures of polyoxyethylene ethers used as emulsifiers or dispersing agents in pharmaceuticals. Emulsifier, stabiliser, flavouring agent, dispersant Polysorbate 20 is a polysorbate surfactant whose stability and relative non-toxicity allows it to be used as a detergent and emulsifier in a number of domestic, scientific, and pharmacological applications. It is a polyoxyethylene derivative of sorbitan monolaurate, and is distinguished from the other members in the polysorbate range by the length of the polyoxyethylene chain and the fatty acid ester moiety.

TWEEN 20 POLYOXYETHYLENE20 Sorbitan Monolaurate