emulsion Flashcards
what is an emulsion
a system consisting of two immiscible liquid phases, one of which is dispersed as fine globules thoroughout the other
what is an emulsion stabilised by
addition of an emulsifying agent
what is the liquid that is subdivided into globules called?
disperse phase/ internal phase
what is the liquid in which the globules are dispersed in called?
continuous phase/ external phase
how may emulsions be administered
- topically
- orally
- parenterally
types of emulsion
- simple emulsion (o/w, w/o)
- multiple emulsions (o/w/o; w/o/w)
- micellar emulsions
- microemulsions
microemulsions
containing extremely small globules (10-75nm), dispersed in continuous phase, appears transparent to naked eye
micellar emulsion
consist of relatively high concentration of surfactant and a small proportion of disperse phase which is solubilised by the surfactant
- surfactant exist as micelles (5-20nm) which are extremely small (hence seems transparent to naked eye)
two types of micellar emulsions
- oil in water: oil is found in non-polar interior of the micelles which are present in aq continuous phase
- reverse micelle emulsion: consist of water which is found in the polar interior of the micelles which are present in an oily continuous phase
testing o/w emulsions
- color: usually white
- feel on skin: initially non-greasy
- filter paper wetting: diffuses rapidly
- filter paper impregnated with cobalt chloride: blue to pink
- fluorescence: dot pattern under uv light
- conductivity: conducted electricity
- dye test: globules colored by oil-soluble dye while continuous phase by water-soluble dye
- dilution: miscible with water
testing w/o emulsion
- color: assume color of oil
- feel on skin: greasy
- filter paper wetting: diffuses slowly
- filter paper impregnated with cobalt chloride: remains blue
- fluorescence: fluoresces throughout
- conductivity: poor conductor
- dye test: globules colored by water-soluble dye while continuous phase by oil-soluble dye
- dilution: miscible with oil
basic component of emulsion
oil, water, surfactant
oil phase
- choice determined by ultimate use of emulsion
- affect the performance: consistency, feel/tactile, stability, drug solubility
emulsifying agent divided into three broad classes
- surfactant
- hydrophilic colloids
- finely divided solids
factors affecting selection of emulsifying agents
- type of emulsion (o/w or w/o)
2 compatibility - toxicity
- cost
different types of emulsifying agents
- tweens and spans
- sodium lauryl sulphate
- cetostearyl alcohol
- sodium alginate
- sodium carboxymethyl cellulose
surfactants
have hydrophilic group and lipophilic group in their molecular structure
- amphipathic in nature to cause molecules to become attached to interfaecs, lowering interfacial tension
four major groups of surfactants
- anionic
- cationic
- amphoteric
- nonionic
anionic surfactants
- generally employed for external preparations
- incompatible with cationic compounds, low pH, high concentration of electrolytes
- effectiveness enhanced by nonionic surfactants
different types of anionic surfactants
- soaps of monovalent bases
- soaps of polyvalent bases
- amine soaps
- sulphated and sulphonated fatty acids and alcohols
- quillaia saponins
soaps of monovalent
- eg. sodium/ potassium/ ammonium stearate
- o/w
- presence of polyvalent cations will cause phase inversion
- sodium and potassium soaps have high pH and unsuitable for emulsions where high pH cannot be tolerated
soaps of polyvalent
- eg. calcium/ zinc oleate
- w/o
- presence of monovalent cations will cause phase inversion
soaps of amines
- eg. triethanolamine
- o/w
- suitable for o/w emulsions where high pH cannot be tolerated
sulphated and sulphonated fatty acids and alcohols
- eg. sodium lauryl/cetyl sulphate
- o/w
- generally mroe effective than other types but strongly alkaline
- SLS + CSA = emulsifying wax
quillaia saponins
- o/w of low viscosity
- glycosides form quillaja saponaria
- can be employed for oral preparation
cationic surfactants
- possess emulsifying and antiseptic properties
- incompatible with anionic compounds
- promote o/w emulsion
example of cationic surfactants
quaternary ammonium compounds
- cetrimide
- cetyl pyridinium chloride
- benzalkonium chloride
amphoteric surfactant
- cationic at low pH and anionic at high pH
- not widely used cause expensive
- eg lecithin for IV fat emulsion