Question

Which of the following emulsifiers has the highest HLB value?

• A. Span 80
• B. Acacia
• C. Tween 80
• D. Sodium lauryl sulfate

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

To determine which emulsifier has the highest Hydrophilic-Lipophilic Balance (HLB) value among the given options, it's essential to understand this concept. The HLB system is used to classify surfactants based on their affinity for water and oil, ranging from 0 to 20.

An emulsifier with a high HLB value is more hydrophilic (water-loving), whereas a low HLB value indicates a more lipophilic (oil-loving) nature:

• Sodium lauryl sulfate - This is a widely known anionic surfactant with a very high HLB value, typically around 40. It is highly hydrophilic, suitable for forming oil-in-water emulsions.
• Tween 80 - A nonionic surfactant with an HLB value of approximately 15. It is also used in oil-in-water emulsions but has a lower HLB than sodium lauryl sulfate.
• Span 80 - Another nonionic surfactant with a low HLB value of around 4.3, making it more suitable for water-in-oil emulsions.
• Acacia - Naturally occurring emulsifier, typically not classified by HLB values but behaves more hydrophilically than Span 80.

From this analysis, Sodium lauryl sulfate has the highest HLB value. Thus, the correct answer is:

Sodium lauryl sulfate