Emulsions Flashcards
Definition of emulsion
Emulsion is a system consisting of 2 immiscible LIQUID phases, one of which is dispersed as fine globules throughout the other.
Stabilised by addition of EMULSIFYING AGENT
What is the phase that is subdivided into globules
Disperse phase or internal phase
What types of emulsions are there
simple emulsions (o/w or w/o) multiple emulsions (wow or owo) micellar emulsions (oil-in-water micellar emulsion and reverse micellar emulsion) microemulsions (small globules 10-75nm)
Which type of emulsion’s globules cannot be seen under microscope
microemulsion
micellar emulsion
Oil-in-water micellar emulsion consists of what
oil found inside the non-polar interior of micelles, present in aqueous continuous phase
reverse micellar emulsion consists of what
water found inside the polar interior of the micelles, present in an oily continuous phase
What methods can be used for determination of emulsion type
Colour feel on skin filter paper wetting filter paper impregnated with cobalt chloride fluorescence conductivity dye test with sudan III dilution
Sudan III dye is soluble in which phase
oil, will dye the oily part.
Which simple emulsion is miscible in water
o/w emulsion
What are the basic components of an emulsion?
oily phase
aqueous phase
emulsifying agent
Properties of oil phase which affect the performance of the emulsion
consistency (viscous)
Feel or tactile characteristic (tacky or sticky feeling)
stability
drug solubility
What are the factors affecting the selection of emulsifying agents
Type of emulsion (o/w or w/o)
compatibility with other components (i.e with preservatives)
toxicity of emulsifying agent
cost of emulsifying agent
What are surfactants and what can they do
Compounds with hydrophilic and lipophilic group in their molecular structure.
Cause molecules to become attached to interfaces, thereby lowering interfacial tension
What are the 4 major groups of surfactants
anionic
cationic
amphoteric
non-ionic
What are anionic surfactants usually used for and what are the different types of anionic surfactants
Generally used for external preparations. Incompatible with cationic compounds, low pH, and high concentration of electrolytes.
Soaps of monovalent bases, polyvalent bases, amine soaps, sulphated and sulphonated fatty acids and alcohols, and quaillaia saponins.
What emulsion is suitable to use soaps of monovalent bases. Name one e.g. of this base
oil in water,
Sodium, potassium or ammonium stearate
what emulsion is suitable to use soaps of polyvalent bases. Name one e.g. of this base
water in oil
calcium or zinc oleate
What is the difference between amine soaps vs soaps of monovalent bases.
amine soaps are suitable for o/w emulsions where a high pH cannot be tolerated (won’t cause pH to be very high) whereas monovalent soap bases can make the pH high.
Name examples of sulphated and sulphonated fatty acids and alcohols. What emulsion can they be used for and are they strong surfactants?
Sodium lauryl sulphate and sodium cetyl sulphate.
used in o/w emulsion
strong
Properties of cationic surfactants?
Emulsifying and antiseptic, incompatible with anionic compounds
promote formation of o/w emulsions
examples of cationic surfactants?
quaternary ammonium compounds like cetrimide, cetyl pyridinium chloride and benzalkonium chloride.
Example of amphoteric surfactant?
lecithin, used for IV fat emulsions
cationic at low pH, anionic at high pH
Properties of nonionic surfactants?
low toxicity and irritancy
less sensitive to pH changes and addition of electrolytes
Used for external and internal preparations
types of Nonionic surfactants
sorbitan esters and polyoxyethylene sorbitan esters (POE)
glycol and glycerol esters
fatty acid polyglycol esters
faty alcohol polyglycol ethers (macrogol ethers)
higher fatty alcohols