Sucrose acetate stearate
[CAS# 52439-69-7]

Identification

• Classification: Organic raw materials >> Carboxylic compounds and derivatives >> Carboxylic esters and their derivatives
• Name: Sucrose acetate stearate
• Synonyms: acetic acid (2R,3R,4S,5S,6R)-2-[(2S,3S,4S,5R)-3,4-dihydroxy-2,5-bis(hydroxymethyl)oxolan-2-yl]oxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxane-3,4,5-triol;tetrakis(octadecanoic acid)
• Molecular Formula: C₉₀H₁₇₈O₂₅
• Molecular Weight: 1660.36
• CAS Registry Number: 52439-69-7
• EC Number: 257-922-3
• SMILES: CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)O.CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)O.CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)O.CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)O.CC(=O)O.CC(=O)O.CC(=O)O.C([C@@H]1[C@H]([C@@H]([C@H]([C@H](O1)O[C@]2([C@H]([C@@H]([C@H](O2)CO)O)O)CO)O)O)O)O

Safety Data

Hazard Classification

Hazard	Class	Category Code	Hazard Statement
Chronic hazardous to the aquatic environment	Aquatic Chronic	4	H413

Discovory and Applicatios

Sucrose acetate stearate is a mixed ester of sucrose in which hydroxyl groups of the sucrose molecule are partially esterified with acetic acid and stearic acid. It belongs to the broader family of sucrose esters, a class of compounds developed through systematic research into carbohydrate fatty acid esters during the twentieth century. The origin of sucrose acetate stearate is closely tied to industrial and academic efforts to create effective, safe, and biodegradable surfactants from renewable raw materials at a time when demand for emulsifiers in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic products was rapidly increasing.

The discovery of sucrose acetate stearate was not the result of a single event, but rather an extension of earlier work on sucrose esters. Early investigations into sucrose esterification demonstrated that sucrose, despite its high functionality due to multiple hydroxyl groups, could be selectively modified to yield compounds with useful amphiphilic properties. Researchers found that introducing both short chain and long chain acyl groups onto the sucrose backbone allowed fine control over hydrophilic and lipophilic balance. The combination of acetate and stearate groups in sucrose acetate stearate was shown to produce materials with distinct solubility and emulsifying characteristics compared with simple sucrose monoesters.

From a chemical perspective, sucrose acetate stearate is produced by controlled esterification or transesterification processes using sucrose and appropriate acyl donors. Advances in reaction control and purification methods enabled the preparation of products with reproducible compositions suitable for industrial use. These developments were significant because they allowed sucrose esters to move from laboratory curiosities to commercially viable ingredients.

The primary application of sucrose acetate stearate has been as a nonionic emulsifier. In the food industry, it has been used to stabilize emulsions containing oils and water, improving texture and uniformity in products such as baked goods, confectionery, desserts, and dairy based formulations. Its ability to function effectively at low concentrations made it attractive for manufacturers seeking consistent product quality. Because it is derived from sucrose and fatty acids commonly found in edible fats, it gained acceptance as a food additive in various regulatory frameworks.

Sucrose acetate stearate has also been applied as a dispersing agent and processing aid. In powdered food systems, it helps improve the dispersion of lipophilic ingredients and reduces aggregation. Its influence on interfacial properties can affect crystallization behavior, which is important in products where fat structure determines mouthfeel and stability. These functional roles contributed to its adoption in specialized food formulations.

In pharmaceutical applications, sucrose acetate stearate has been used as an excipient. Its surfactant properties allow it to enhance the solubility and dispersion of poorly water soluble active compounds. In oral formulations, it can assist in producing uniform suspensions and emulsions. It has also been employed in topical pharmaceutical preparations, where it contributes to emulsion stability and desirable consistency without excessive irritation.

The cosmetics and personal care industries have made extensive use of sucrose acetate stearate. It serves as an emulsifier and stabilizer in creams, lotions, makeup products, and cleansers. Its mildness and compatibility with skin have been demonstrated in practical use, supporting its reputation as a gentle ingredient. The fact that it is derived from sugar and fatty acids aligns with industry trends toward ingredients perceived as more natural and environmentally responsible.

Beyond these established uses, sucrose acetate stearate has been studied in material and formulation science as a model nonionic surfactant. Research has focused on its interfacial behavior, phase properties, and interactions with other formulation components. These studies have supported the optimization of emulsions and complex multiphase systems in which precise control of stability and texture is required.

In summary, sucrose acetate stearate is the product of decades of research into sucrose ester chemistry and the practical need for effective emulsifiers derived from renewable resources. Its discovery emerged from systematic experimentation with mixed acylation of sucrose, and its applications span food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Through its functional versatility and established safety profile, sucrose acetate stearate remains an important example of how carbohydrate based chemistry can be translated into widely used industrial materials.

References

2000/2006. EUCOSMETICS � Combined Inventory of Ingredients Employed in Cosmetic Products (2000) and Revised Inventory (2006).
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.2624118