Polyglyeeryl fatty acid esters

As a series of glycerol fatty acid esters, polyglycerol esters have much better emulsifying performance than monoglyceride esters. The reason lies in that polyglycerol esters have more hydrophilic hydroxyl groups. Moreover, its hydrophilicity increases with the increase of glycerol polymerization degree, and its lipophilicity varies with different alkyl groups of fatty acids. Therefore, by changing the polymerization degree of polyglycerol, the type of fatty acid and the esterification degree, a series of polyglycerol ester products with different HLB values (hydrophilic and lipophilic balance values) ranging from 1 to 20, from lipophilic to hydrophilic, can be obtained to be suitable for various special uses. The appearance of polyglycerides ranges from pale yellow oily liquid to waxy solid, which is related to the fatty acids it binds to. Polyglycerides have both hydrophilic and lipophilic properties, and possess multiple excellent properties such as emulsification, dispersion, wetting, stabilization and foaming. It can be decomposed during the human metabolic process, thereby participating in metabolism and being utilized by the human body. It has a high level of safety and is a type of highly efficient and safe additive. It is recommended for use by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization (FAO/WHO). Meanwhile, polyglycerides are quite stable in acidic, alkaline and neutral environments, and also have good emulsifying properties when the salt content is relatively high. Polyglycerides are colorless, odorless, and not prone to hydrolysis. They have no adverse effects on the appearance or odor of the product. It can be compounded with other emulsifiers and has a good synergistic effect, thus being widely used in fields such as food, daily chemicals, petroleum, textiles, coatings, plastics, pesticides, rubber, and medicine. Polyglycerides have become a rapidly developing type of nonionic surfactant.