• EMULSION

An emulsion is a biphasic liquid dosage form,

which is thermodynamically unstable
system ,containing two or more liquids that are
normally immiscible (nonmixable or unblendable).
 Advantages
• Pharmaceutical emulsions may be used to deliver drugs
with low aqueous solubility. For instance, in o/w
emulsions, the therapeutic agent is dissolved in the
internal oil phase. Following oral administration, the oil
droplet containing the drug may be then absorbed using
the normal absorption mechanisms of oils.
• Emulsions may be used to mask the unpleasant taste of a
therapeutic agent, by dissolving it in the internal phase
of an o/w emulsion. The external phase (water) may be
then formulated to contain the appropriate sweetening
and flavouring agents.
• Emulsions are employed for total parenteral nutrition.
Cont...
Pharmaceutical emulsions may be used to administer oils having
a therapeutic effect. For example, the cathartic effect of oils
(e.g., liquid paraffin) is enhanced following administration to the
patient as droplets within an o/w emulsion. The taste of the oil
may be masked using a sweetening and flavouring agent.

If the therapeutic agent is irritant when applied topically,

irritancy may be reduced by formulating it within the internal
phase of an o/w emulsion.

Pharmaceutical emulsions may be employed to deliver drugs to

patients who have difficulty to swallow solid dosage forms.
 Disadvantages:
•Pharmaceutical emulsions are thermodynamically
unstable and, therefore must be correctly formulated
to avoid the separation of the two phases (emulsion
stabilization) .

• Pharmaceutical emulsions are sometimes difficult to

manufacture
 Emulsion types
• Oil-in-water (o/w)
• Water-in-oil (w/o)
• Oil-in-water-in-oil (o/w/o):in O/W/O systems an aqueous
phase (hydrophilic) separates internal and external oil phase. In
other words, O/W/O is a system in which water droplets may be
surrounded in oil phase, which in true encloses one or more oil
droplets.
• Water-in-oil-in-water (w/o/w): In W/O/W systems, an
organic phase (hydrophobic) separates internal and external
aqueous phases. In other words, W/O/W is a system in which oil
droplets may be surrounded by an aqueous phase, which in turn
encloses one or several water droplets. These systems are the
most studied among the multiple emulsions.
Test for Identification of type of Emulsion
• Dilution test:
based on the solubility of external phase of
emulsion. - o/w emulsion can be diluted with
water. - w/o emulsion can be diluted with oil.
 Conductivity Test
• water is good conductor of electricity whereas
oil is nonconductor. Therefore, continuous
phase of water runs electricity more than
continuous phase of oil.
 Dye-Solubility Test:
• when an emulsion is mixed with a water soluble dye
such as amaranth(o/w), scarlet red (w/o) and
observed under the microscope.
• if the continuous phase appears red, then it means
that the emulsion is o/w type as water is the external
phase
• if the scattered globules appear red and continuous
phase colorless, then it is w/o type.
 Fluorescence test:
• Oils give fluorescence.
• Under UV light, while water doesn’t.
Therefore, O/W emulsion shows spotty
pattern while W/O emulsion fluoresces
Classification of emulsion
(A)Classification according to type of emulsifying agent used in the
preperation of an emulsion:
Emulsifying agent example
Natural gum Gum acacia, tragacanth

Gum substitute Cellulose and its derivative

Various soap
saponins
starch
Natural waxes Wool fat and beeswax
Synthetic waxes Emulsifying wax

Other than that pectin, egg yolk ,gelatin and

lecithin
Classification according to their mode of action:
1.Emulsion for oral administration: Usually o/w type of
emulsion and are used for administrater oils having
medicinal value. Eg. Castor oil,olive oil, almond oil and
liq. Paraffin.

2.Emulsion for external use:

can be o/w or w/o type. However o/w is more preferred.

3.Emulsion for parenteral use: Fat soluble vitamins such

as A,D,E,K and oil soluble sex hormones.

4.Emulsion for Rectal use: used for evacuation of

bowl.Starch mucilage is generally used in the preparation
of enema.
 METHODS OF PREPARATION
Dry Gum Method
• Emulsifier is triturated with the oil in perfectly
dry porcelain mortar
• water is added at once
• triturate immediately, rapidly and continuously
(until get a clicking sound and thick white cream
is formed, this is primary emulsion)
• the remaining quantity of water is slowly
added to form the final emulsion
 Wet Gum Method
• Triturate gum with water in a mortar to form a
mucilage oil is added slowly in portions the
mixture is triturated
• After adding all of the oil, thoroughly mixed
for several minute to form the primary
emulsion
• Once the primary emulsion has been formed
remaining quantity of water is added to make
the final emulsion.
 Bottle Method
• It is extemporaneous preparation for
volatile oils or oil with low viscosity.
• gum + oil (dry bottle)
• Shake
• water (volume equal to oil) is added in
portions with vigorous Shaking to form
primary emulsion
• Remaining quantity of water is added to
make the final emulsion
 Other homogeniser

Hand homogeniser: An emulsion prepared by

the Wet Gum or the Dry Gum method can
generally be increased in quality by passing it
through a HAND HOMOGENIZER.

In this apparatus the pumping action of the

handle force the emulsion through a very small
orifice.

That reducing the dispersed droplet size to about

5 microns or less.
Silver mixer homogeniser:
Emulsifier head which covered with fine
meshed stainless steel sieve.

It contain number of blades ,which rotate at

very high speed and produce shearing action.

Emulsifier head is placed in to the immscible

liq. And the liq. Is sucked through fine holes
and due to the rotation of the blade it produce
fine globules.
 Formulation of an emulsion
• From book and class notes
• HLB Range Application
• 4-6 Water/Oil emulsifiers
• 7-9 Wetting agents
• 8-18 Oil/water emulsifiers
• 13-15 Detergents
• 10-18 Solubilizers
INSTABILITY OF an EMULSION
SYSTEM (read it from book)
Please follow book.....