Emulsions

Emulsions are biphasic liquid dosage form of medicament in which two immiscible
liquid, one of which is finely subdivided and uniformly dispersed as droplets throughout
the other. (Generally one of which is water and the other is some lipid or oil) are made
miscible by the addition of third substance known as emulsifying agent. Milk is an
example of natural emulsion.

- o/w emulsion used internally (orally, I.V., I.M.) and topically)

- o/w and w/o emulsion used topicaly.

Purpose of emulsion
1- It increases stability of many drugs, which are unstable in aqueous solution.
2- It improves the taste and odor of objectionable medicinal agents and makes them
more acceptable. (e.g. castor oil. Cod liver oil)
3- It improves appearance of those materials which are generally intended for topical
application.
4- It improves penetration and spreading ability. (like liniment, lotion, and cream)
5- It can prolong drug action.

Type of emulsion
1- Oil in water type (o/w) emulsion:
Dispersed phase is oil where as water is continues phase. This type of emulsion
prepared by using emulsifying agent obtained from natural sources like gum acacia,
tragacanth, methyl cellulose and soap formed from monovalent bases like Na+, K+
and NH4+.
2- Water in oil type (w/o) emulsion:
Water is the disperse phase where as oil is continues phase. These types of emulsion
are mainly used externally. Emulsifying agent like wool fat, resin bees wax,
synthetic compound and soaps formed from divalent bases like Ca++, Mg++, and
Zn++ are used for preparation of w/o emulsion.

Tests to Identify the Type of Emulsions

(a) Dilution test:
Take a few drops of emulsion in a test tube and dilute it with 2-3 drops of water and
shake. If the emulsion remains uniform, it is o/w emulsion but if the water forms a

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separate layer it is w/o emulsion. Reverse will be the case if the emulsion is diluted
with oil.
(b) Dye solubility test
Mix an oil soluble dye like scarlet red with an emulsion. Place a drop of it on
microscope slide and see under the microscope, if the continuous phase appears to
be red, it is w/o emulsion but if scattered globules appear red and continuous phase
colorless, it is o/w emulsion. The test can be repeated by using amaranth, a water
soluble dye. If the continuous phase appears red it is o/w emulsion but if scattered
globules appears red and continuous phase colorless it is w/o emulsion.
(c) Conductivity test:
Systems with aqueous continuous phases will readily conduct electricity, while
systems with oily phases will not.

Preparation of emulsion
The quantities of oil, gum and water required for primary emulsion are as follows:
Type of oil Quantities of primary emulsions
Oil Water Gum
Fixed 4 2 1
Volatile 2 2 1
Mineral 3 2 1

The most commonly used fixed oils include castor oil, cod liver oil, shark liver oil,
olive oil, almond oil.
Mineral oil like liquid paraffin.
The volatile oils include turpentine oil, sandal wood oil, cinnamon oil and
peppermint oil.
Methods of preparation
A. Dry gum method:
1- Measure the oil in dry cylinder.
2- Triturate the oil with acacia powder in dry mortar.
3- Measure water for the primary emulsion and immediately add all the water
and stir vigorously until to form the primary emulsion formed, this
characterized by clicking sound.
4- Add other additives and remaining quantity of water is added with continuous
trituration to finish the product.

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 B. Wet gum method:
1- water is added to acacia gum and quickly triturated with a mortar and pestle until
a smooth mucilage is formed.
2- Oil is to be added slowly with continuous triturating until a smooth cream of
primary emulsion is formed.
3- The mixture should be again triturated for another 5 minutes and then add water
to make up the volume with continuous triturating.
C. Nascent Soap method (Bottle method):
Liquid or semiliquid emulsion may be used as liniments and lotion.
The preparation of emulsion for external use dose not requires the preparation of
primary emulsion.
Soap are commonly used as emulsifying agents and some are prepared by mixing
the oily containing a fatty acid such as linseed or olive oil and the aqueous phase
containing the alkali such as sodium or calcium hydroxide solution, in a suitable
bottle. When the mixture is agitated the fatty acid of the oil reacts with the alkali to
form soap. The soap formed at the time of mixing it is said to be (a nascent soap).
The method may be used to prepare either o/w or w/o emulsions.
Rx1
Prepare castor oil emulsion (o/w)
Castor oil 40 ml
Acacia 10 g
Cinnamon Water s.q 100 ml
Procedure:

1- Triturate the weighed amount of castor oil and cinnamon water with acacia in
mortar and pestle.
2- Add remaining quantity of cinnamon water to produce 100 ml.

Uses: laxative.

Storage: preserve in well-closed container.

Rx2 Cod-liver oil emulsion

Cod-liver oil 30 ml
Syrup 12 ml
Ferric ammonium citrate 4 gm
Cinnamon water q.s. 90 ml

Type: o/w type emulsion for internal use.

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Note: Theory is same as described under castor oil emulsion.

Formula for primary emulsion:

Cod-liver oil 30.0 ml

Acacia powder 7.5 gm
Cinnamon water 15.0 ml

Procedure:

Measure the required amount of cod liver oil with a dry measure. Place it in a dry mortar
and add gum acacia powder, mix thoroughly. Add measured amount of cinnamon water
little at a time with continuous trituration until a white product is formed. At this stage
volume of primary emulsion will be about 52.5 ml.

Dilute the syrup with about 20 ml of cinnamon water. To this dissolve ferric ammonium
citrate. Add this solution little at a time to primary emulsion with continuous mixing and
trituration till whole of the ferric ammonium citrate solution has been added. Transfer it to
a measure, rinse the mortar with a little quantity of cinnamon water, and transfer the
rinsing to the contents of the measure. Add more of vehicle to produce the required
volume. Transfer the preparation to a bottle, cork, polish, label and dispense. Attach
"Shake the bottle before use" label.

Uses I

I. Cod liver oil is a valuable source of vitamin A and of readily digestible fat. It is used as
a dietary supplement for infants and children to prevent the occurrence of rickets and to
improve nutrition and calcification of bones in undernourished children and in patients
with rickets.

Ferric ammonium citrate is added as an anti-anemic drug and help in patients who are
suffering from iron deficiency anemia.

Syrup acts as sweetening agent and chloroform water is used as flavoring agent.

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Examples of fixed and volatile oils

Volatile oils Fixed oils Mineral oil

Turpentine oil Caster oil Hydrocarbon
Clove oil Lard oil Liquid paraffin
Camphor oil Oilve oil
Caraway oil Almond oil
Menthol Cod-liver oil
Anethol Theobroma oil
Orange iol Cotton seed oil
Anes oil Linseed oil
Lemon oil Sesame oil
Rose oil Sunflower oil
Cinnamon oil
Pepperment oil
Sandal wood oil
terebene oil