PHR

212 (NuH)

Preparation method:
1. Dry gum
2. Wet gum
3. The bottle method
4. Beaker method

4: 2: 1
Oil Water Emulsifier
1. Dry gum method:
Solid substances are generally dissolved and added to a liquid solution to form the primary
emulsion. It is also known as initial emulsion after the volume adjustment we will get the
final emulsion.
i) Take the mortar and pestle and add 1 part of emulsifying agent.
ii) Levigate that portion with 4 parts of oil until the powder is fully wetted.
iii) Afterwards add 2 parts of water at a once and the mixture is vigorously and continuously
triturated.
iv) Until the primary emulsion is formed.
v) Additional water in aqueous solutions should be added after the primary emulsion is
formed.
vi) Oil substances or oil soluble components should be added directly to the primary
emulsion in very small amount.
vii) Specific excipients like alcohol should be added at the very end of the final emulsion for
avoiding precipitation and breaking of the emulsion.
viii) After mixing everything, the final emulsion should be homogenized or blend to ensure
uniform distribution.
Applicable for:
i) Oily substance
ii) Viscous method
iii) Oil soluble substance
2. Wet gum method/English method (4:2:1):
Solid substances are generally dissolved and added to a liquid solution to form the primary
emulsion. It is also known as initial emulsion after the volume adjustment we will get the
final emulsion.
i) Take mortar and pestle. Add 1 part of emulsifying agent and triturate with two part of
water until a proper mucilage is formed.
ii) Add 4 parts of oil slowly into the mucilage mix it vigorously and continuously triturate until
PHR 212 (NuH)

the primary emulsion is formed.

iii) Additional water or aqueous solutions should be added after the primary emulsion is
formed.
iv) Oil substance or oil soluble components should be added directly to the primary emulsion
in very small amount.
v) Specific excipients like alcohol should be added at the very end of the final emulsion for
avoiding precipitation and breaking of the emulsion.
vi) After mixing everything the final emulsion should be calibrated using measuring cylinder
or vessels and the final emulsion should be homogenized or blend to ensure uniform
distribution.
Cons: Adding oil after the water makes the mixing more difficult that's why wet gum takes
extra time and pressure to prepare. Therefore, normally dry gum method is preferred over
wet gum method.
Pros: As wet gum preparation needs extra time and pressure to form an emulsion thus it is
more stable.
Applicable for:
When most of the APIs are stable and water-soluble substance.
3. Bottle method/Forbes bottle method (1:1):
Solid substances are generally dissolved and added to a liquid solution to form the primary
emulsion. It is also known as initial emulsion after the volume adjustment we will get the
final emulsion.
i) It's an extemporaneous preparation for volatile oils or oil with viscosity.
ii) Take one dry bottle add equal parts of emulsifying agent and oil. Mix it properly.
iii) Add equal volume of water in the mixture and the mixture should be vigorously and
continuously mixed to form a primary emulsion.
iv) Remaining quantity of the water is added to make the final emulsion.
v) The method is not suitable for viscous oils because they cannot be thoroughly agitated in
the bottle when mixed with emulsifying agent.
vi) For viscous volatile oils, dry method should be used.
vii) Specific excipients like alcohol should be added at the very end of the final emulsion for
avoiding precipitation and breaking of the emulsion.
viii) After mixing everything the final emulsion should be calibrated using measuring cylinder
or vessels and the final emulsion should be homogenized or blend to ensure uniform
distribution.
Cons: The mixture can vary due to physical strength.
Applicable for:
Freshly prepared emulsion. This method is not suited for viscous oils because they cannot be
PHR 212 (NuH)

thoroughly agitated in the bottle when mixed with the emulsifying agent. When the
intended dispersed phase is a mixture of fixed oil and volatile oil, the dry gum method is
generally employed.

4. Beaker method:
Solid substances are generally dissolved and added to a liquid solution to form the primary
emulsion. It is also known as initial emulsion after the volume adjustment we will get the
final emulsion.
i) Separate all the water soluble and oil soluble components.
ii) All oil soluble components are dissolved in oil phase and water soluble components are
dissolved in water using separate beaker.
iii) Oily components are melted and both phases are heated approximately 70 degree Celsius
using water bath.
iv) The internal phase is added to external phase with proper agitation until the emulsion
comes into room temperature.
v) In beaker method, the constitute should be heat stable and the particle size should be
uniform.
vi) Specific excipients like alcohol should be added at the very end of the final emulsion for
avoiding precipitation and breaking of the emulsion.
vii) After mixing everything the final emulsion should be calibrated using measuring cylinder
or vessels and the final emulsion should be homogenized or blend to ensure uniform
distribution.