HLB-value

HLB-value stands for Hydrophilic - Lipophilic - Balance, this can be calculated or measured for each emulsifier. A hydrophilic (water loving) emulsifier has a high HLB value, a lipophilic (oil loving) emulsifier has a low HLB value.

The HLB-value of sucrose esters is related to:

• primarily the degree of esterification; the more monoester the higher the HLB;
• secondary the fatty acid chain length, the shorter the fatty acid chain length the higher the HLB.

Sucrose esters can be obtained with an HLB value of 1 up to 16. Sucrose esters with a:

• hydrophilic nature, have a HLB of 8-16, (partly) dissolve in water and are o/w-emulsifiers.
• Lipophilics, have a HLB of 3,5-6, (partly) dissolve in oil and are w/o-emulsifiers.

Typical HLB-values of Emulsifiers