A colloid is a substance microscopically

dispersed throughout another substance.

The word colloid comes from a Greek word
“Kolla” which means glue thus colloids are
glue like substances.
 The colloidal system consist of two phases:

- A dispersed phase.(a discontinuous phase)

- A dispersions medium.(a continuous phase)
 Example of colloids- Milk, synthetic polymers,

fog etc.
CLASSIFICATION OF COLLOIDS:
 Based on physical state of dispersed phase and
dispersion medium.
 Based on nature of interaction between dispersed
phase and dispersion medium.
 Based on molecular size in the dispersed phase.

 Based on appearance of colloids.

 Based on electric charge on dispersion phase.

Colloids have following main characteristic
properties:
 Optical properties : When a beam of light is
passed through a colloidal dispersion ,it becomes
visible as a bright streak , this phenomenon is
known as Tyndall effect.

 Brownian Movement: The particle present in the

colloid are in constant rapid motion .These
ceaseless erratic and random motion of colloid in
liquid seen under a microscope is called brownian
movement.
Colloids have use in our daily life as well as in
various industrial processes. Some of the
applications where colloids are present are listed
below .
 Pharmaceutical industry makes use of colloidal
solution preparation in many medicines. A wide
variety of medicines are emulsions. An example
is cod liver.
 Paint industry also uses colloids in the
preparation of paint.
Definition of micelles:
 A micelles is an aggregate of surfactant
molecules dispersed in a liquid colloid .

 A typical micelles in aqueous solution

forms an aggregate with the
hydrophilic “head” regions in contact
with surrounding solvent ,
sequestering the hydrophobic single-
tail regions in the micelle centre.
MECHANISM OF MICELLE FORMATION:
 Cleaning Action Of Soap:
Soap contains a non polar carbon
end that dissolves in non polar fats
and oils , and a polar end that
dissolves in water.

 Dust and soap molecule forms a

micelles that dissolve in water and
are washed away.
 Micelle is very good solution on weakly soluble
drug which enhances their bioavailability . Recent
work on cancer therapy shows that micelle is a good
carrier for drug used in cancer therapy . Micelle
doesn’t herm to other system of our body and also
patient compliances.

By considering all things regarding micelle,

micelle is beneficial in drug delivery system and
more research is expected in future so that this
wonderful phenomena can be used in new drug
delivery system.