Assignment 2 Buffers and Isotonic Solutions

Answer the following questions. Submit a powerpoint presentation of not more than 10 slides. 

1. What is HLB? Write any two importance of HLB

HLB is also known as hydrophilic–lipophilic balance. HLB is defined as the balance of the
size and strength of the hydrophilic and lipophilic moieties of a surfactant molecule. It indicates
how the proportion of hydrophilic and lipophilic groups will affect the surfactant behavior in
emulsions. The system of HLB assigns values or numbers that correspond to the degree of water
or oil solubility of a particular surfactant. Lower HLB numbers indicate better oil or non-polar
solubility, and higher HLB numbers indicate better water or polar solubility. In line with this,
surfactants that have low HLB values are more suited for water-in-oil emulsions (W/O), and
surfactants that have higher HLB values are better for oil-in-water emulsions (O/W). With these,
the HLB system is of great importance to formulators as it helps in narrowing down potential
surfactant candidates for use in an emulsion system. It provides a rough guide of what optimal
surfactants must be chosen for an emulsion system. In addition, HBL system is also important in
providing a framework for ease in predicting how surfactants will behave in emulsion systems.

References:
Croda International Plc. (n.d.). What is HLB. Industrial Chemicals. Retrieved from
https://www.crodaindustrialchemicals.com/en-gb/technologies/emulsification/what-is-
hlb
John R. Hess & Company, Inc. (n.d.). Basics of the HLB system. J R Hess Company. Retrieved from
https://www.jrhessco.com/hlb-system-basics/

2. Define buffer capacity

Buffer capacity can be defined as the measure of the efficiency of a buffer in resisting its change
in pH on an addition of an acid or a base. Buffer capacity is also referred as buffer index, buffer
value, buffer efficiency or buffer coefficient. Solutions that have a weaker base will have more
buffer capacity when a strong acid is added, while solutions that have higher amounts of weak
acid will have higher levels of buffer capacity when a strong base is added. In other words,
buffer capacity is the amount of acid that buffers are capable of absorbing prior to breaking the
capacity for adding strong acid. In addition, buffer capacity may be defined as the quantity of a
strong acid or strong base that must be added to one liter of a solution to change it by one pH
unit.

References:
Shields, S.P. (June 01, 2016). Chem 2 - acid-base equilibria I: The basics of acids and bases.
SlideShare. Retrieved from https://www.slideshare.net/CandelaContent/chem-2-
acidbase-equilibria-i-the-basics-of-acids-and-bases
Corrosionpedia. (July 30, 2014). What is a buffer capacity? - Definition from Corrosionpedia.
Retrieved from https://www.corrosionpedia.com/definition/194/buffer-capacity
Vaidyanathan, V. (January 18, 2021). Buffer capacity: Definition and how to calculate it. Science
ABC. Retrieved from https://www.scienceabc.com/pure-sciences/buffer-capacity-
definition-and-how-to-calculate-it.html

3. State and explain in your own words paratonic solution. 

A paratonic solution is a solution with different osmotic pressures. It differs from an isotonic
solution in a way that isotonic solutions are those that have the same osmotic pressures. Paratonic
solutions include both hypertonic and hypotonic solutions. In this manner, hypertonic solutions are
those in which cell swell and then burst because of the uptake of water into the cell, whereas hypotonic
solutions are those in which cell shrink because of the loss of water from cell. In addition, hypertonic
solutions have more amounts of solutes than the required amount to the make solution isotonic. On the
other hand, hypotonic solutions have less amount of solute than the desirable amount in order to create
an isotonic solution. Hypotonic solutions have higher osmotic pressure than that of the body fluid while
hypertonic solutions have lower osmotic pressure as compared to the body fluid as well.

References:
Vineeta, K. (October 7, 2016). Isotonic Solutions. Retrieved from
https://www.slideshare.net/kvineetha8/isotonic-solutions-66841090
Isotonic Solution. (October 1, 2016). Drugs and Pharmacy. Retrieved from
https://thedrugsandmedicines.blogspot.com/2016/10/isotonic-solutions.html
Heath, A. (March 14, 2020). What are Paratonic solutions? Retrieved from
https://easierwithpractice.com/what-are-paratonic-solutions/#What_are_Paratonic_solutions

4. What is the use of paratonic solution in the field of pharmacy? 

As mentioned in the previous question, paratonic solutions can either be hypotonic or hypertonic
solutions. In line with this, such solutions have uses in the field of pharmacy. Below are some of them:
Hypotonic Solution
 Used to treat hypertonic dehydration
 Used to replace fluids in cellular dehydration states
 Used to dilute concentrated serum

Example:

0.45% Sodium Chloride (1/2 Normal Saline)

-Used for gastric fluid loss
-Used for cellular dehydration from excessive diuresis
-Used for slow rehydration

Hypertonic solution
 Used to replace electrolytes as in hyponatremia
 Used to treat circulatory collapse
 Used to increase fluid shift from interstitial space to vascular space
 Used to treat hypotonic dehydration
 Used to treat certain types of shock
Examples:
5% Dextrose in 0.9% Sodium Chloride (D5NS)
-Used for heat related disorders
-Used for fresh water drowning
-Used for the treatment of Peritonitis

5% Dextrose in 0.45% Sodium Chloride (D51/2NS)

-Used for heat exhaustion
-Used for the treatment of diabetic disorders
-Used as TKO solution in patients with renal or cardiac dysfunction
5% Dextrose in Lactated Ringers (D5LR)
-Used for the treatment of Hypovolemic Shock
-Used for the treatment of Hemorrhagic Shock
- Used for the treatment of certain acidosis

References:
Sweeney, J. (September 2010). Managing hypernatremia: Nursing2021. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins,
Inc. Retrieved from
https://journals.lww.com/nursing/Citation/2010/09000/Managing_hypernatremia.19.aspx
Rajab, M. (May 4, 2015). Types of Fluids. Retrieved from
https://www.slideshare.net/MohammedARajab/types-of-fluids-47722706