Pharmaceutics-I

Liquid dosage forms

Dispersed systems
(Emulsions)
6-1

Dr. Hamoud, A, Al-Bayley 1

Definition:
 An emulsion is a two phase system consisting of two incompletely
miscible liquids, one of which is dispersed as finite globules in the
other.
 The particle size of the globules range from 0.25 to 25 and 50 µm for
macroemulsions, and 0.01 µm for microemulsions
 An emulsifying agent and mechanical energy are needed to join the
phases.
 Types of Emulsion
A. {Based on dispersed phase 
1. Oil in Water (O/W): {Oil droplets dispersed in water. 
2. Water in Oil (W/O): {Water droplets dispersed in oil. 
3. Multiple emulsions (e.g. w/o/w emulsions).
B. {Based on particle size of dispersed phase}
1. Macroemulsions (0.25 to 50 µm)
2. Microemulsions (0.01 – 0.2 µm)
3. Nanoemulsions (> 0.01 µm)
Dr. Hamoud, A, Al-Bayley 2
Dr. Hamoud, A, Al-Bayley 3
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 Difference between (o/w) and (w/o) emulsions
Oil in water emulsion (o/w) Water in oil emulsion (w/o)
1. Water is the dispersion medium 1. Oil is the dispersion medium
and oil is the dispersed phase. and water is the dispersed phase.
2. Water soluble drugs are more 2. Oil soluble drugs are more
quickly released from o/w emulsions. quickly released from w/o
emulsions .
3. They are preferred for formulations meant 3. They are preferred for formulations
for internal use as bitter taste of oils can be meant for external use like creams.
masked.
4. They are non greasy and easily 4. They are greasy and not water
removable from the skin surface. washable.
5. They are used externally to 5. They are used externally to
provide cooling effect e.g. vanishing prevent evaporation of moisture
cream from the surface of skin e.g. Cold
cream.
6. O/W emulsions give a positive 6. W/O emulsions go not give a positive
conductivity test as water is the external conductivity test as oil is the external
phase which is a good conductor of phase which is a poor conductor of
electricity. electricity.

Dr. Hamoud, A, Al-Bayley 5

 Pharmaceutical applications of emulsions:
1. Oral, rectal and topical administration of oils and oil-
soluble drugs.
2. The unpleasant taste or odor can be masked by
emulsification.
3. The absorption and penetration of medicament are
enhanced by emulsification.
4. Intramuscular injections of water-soluble drugs or vaccine
to provide slow release.
5. The use of sterile stable i.v emulsion containing fats,
carbohydrates and vitamins as a potential nutrition.

Dr. Hamoud, A, Al-Bayley 6

 The type of emulsion dictates the final use of the formulation:
1. O/W emulsions may be administered intravenously (dilute
mobile fluids), rectally, orally or topically.
2. But w/o emulsions may be administered topically.
 An acceptable pharmaceutical emulsions include the following
features:
1. Physical stability (no phase separation).
2. The flow properties of the emulsion:
A. Easily removed from the container,
B. For external application, formulation must be easily spread over
the affected area.
3. The formulation must be aesthetically and texturally pleasing:
A. If externally applied, they must have the correct ‘feel’ (termed
texture).
B. If the emulsion is designed for oral application, the flavour must
be suitable.

Dr. Hamoud, A, Al-Bayley 7

 Advantages of emulsions:
1. To deliver drugs that exhibit a low aqueous solubility. (In o/w
emulsions the drug is dissolved in the internal oil phase).
2. Used to mask the taste of drugs, (in which the drug is dissolved in
the internal phase of an o/w emulsion). The external phase may then
be formulated to contain the appropriate sweetening and flavouring.
3. Emulsions may be commonly used to administer oils that may have a
therapeutic effect.
4. If the drug is irritant when applied topically, the irritancy may be
reduced by formulation of the drug within the internal phase of an
o/w emulsion.
5. Employed to administer drugs to patients who have difficulty
swallowing SDFs (Solid dosage forms).
6. Emulsions are employed for total parenteral nutrition.
 Disadvantages:
1. Pharmaceutical emulsions are thermodynamically unstable
(separation of the two phases).
2. Pharmaceutical emulsions may beA,difficult
Dr. Hamoud, Al-Bayley to manufacture. 8
 Formulation of emulsions
• Selection of Emulsifying agents (emulsifiers):
 An emulsifying agent is any material that enhances the
stability of an emulsion (i.e. Prevention of coalescence and
reducing creaming).
 The ideal emulsifying agent is colourless, odourless,
tasteless, non- toxic, non-irritant and able to produce
stable emulsions at low concentrations.
• Examples of Emulsifying agent:
1. Carbohydrate Materials: (Acacia, Tragacanth, Agar, Pectin,
o/w emulsion).
2. Protein Substances: (Gelatin, Egg yolk, Caesin o/w
emulsion).
3. High Molecular Weight Alcohols: (Stearyl Alcohol, Cetyl
Alcohol, Glyceryl Mono stearate o/w emulsion, cholesterol
Dr. Hamoud, A, Al-Bayley 9
w/o emulsion).
4. Wetting agents:
Anionic, Cationic, Nonionic
-o/w emulsion
-w/o emulsion
5. Finely divided solids:
- Bentonite,
- Magnesium Hydroxide,
- Aluminum Hydroxide o/w emulsion.

Dr. Hamoud, A, Al-Bayley 10

 Test for identification of emulsion type:
1. Dilution test (miscibility test)
2. Staining test (dye solubility test)
3. Conductivity measurement
4. Fluorescence test
5. Cobalt Chloride test
1. Dilution with water:
 O/W emulsions may be diluted with water (as this is the
composition of the external phase) whereas w/o emulsions
cannot be diluted with water (droplets will remain on the
surface of a w/o emulsion).
2. Staining test Use of dyes:
 Oil-soluble dyes will stain the internal phase if the emulsion
is an o/w emulsion whereas water-soluble dyes will dye the
internal phase of a w/o emulsion.
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3. Electrical conductivity:
O/W emulsions conduct electric current whereas w/o
emulsions do not.
A light source will glow when electrodes are dipped into an
o/w emulsion, but not when they are placed in a w/o
emulsion.
4. Fluorescence test:
Oils give fluorescence under UV. light, while water doesn’t.
Therefore, O/W emulsion shows spotty pattern when
observed under UV. while W/O emulsion fluoresces.
5. Cobalt Chloride test:
It is water soluble so it changes colour when encountered
by O/W emulsion.
Filter paper is Dipped in Emulsion. Filter paper changes its
color from blue to Pink
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 Theory of emulsification
1. Film theory or adsorption theory
2. Oriented-Wedge Theory
3. Viscosity theory
4. Interfacial tension theory
1. Film theory or adsorption theory (Monomolecular
Adsorption theory):
Surface-active agents, or amphiphiles, (emulsifying agent)
reduce interfacial tension because of their adsorption at the
oil- water interface to form (mechanical film) monomolecular
films and offers stability to the emulsion.

Dr. Hamoud, A, Al-Bayley 13

2. Oriented-Wedge Theory:
 According to this theory, monovalent soap like sodium stearate give
o/w type emulsion and divalent soap like calcium stearate give w/o
type emulsion. This was explained by successful accommodation of
the soap molecules to give the type of emulsion.
3. Viscosity theory
 As per this theory, an increase in viscosity of an emulsion will lead to
an increase in the stability.
 This theory failed to explain about the milk which shows considerable
stability even though its viscosity is less.
 This theory is holds good for emulsions prepared with gums as
emulsifying agents,
4. Interfacial tension theory
 In accordance with this theory the added emulsifying agent reduces
the interfacial tension between the oil and water phases and thus a
stable emulsion is formed.

Dr. Hamoud, A, Al-Bayley 14