Emulsion
DPH
Semester VIII
Asra Abid
Feb , 2025
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unioffaisalabad
Definition
• An Emulsion is a mixture of two or more liquids that are normally
Immiscible.
Oil
Oil Agitation Oil
Water Water
Water
Separate rapidly into two
clear defined layers
• Emulsion, is a thermodynamically unstable system consisting of two
immiscible liquids in which one liquid is dispersed as fine globule
throughout the other with the help of emulsifying agents.
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Internal Phase or External Phase in
Emulsions
The dispersed liquid is known as the Internal or
Discontinuous phase.
whereas the dispersion medium is known as the External or
Continuous phase.
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Types Of Emulsions
Based on dispersed phase:
Oil in Water (O/W): Oil droplets dispersed in water.
Water in Oil (W/O): Water droplets dispersed in oil.
Water in Oil in water (W/O/W): Water in Oil emulsion dispersed in
water – multiple emulsion.
Based on size of liquid droplets:
• Microemulsion: Droplets size range 0.01 to 0.1µm
• Macroemulsion: Droplets size range approximately 5µm
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TYPES OF EMULSION
Simple emulsions (Macro emulsions)
• Oil-in-water (O/W)
• Water-in-oil (W/O)
Multiple emulsions
• Oil-in-water-in-oil (O/W/O)
• Water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W)
Micro emulsions
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Types of Emuslion
Micro
emulsions
Multiple
emulsions -Nano emulsions
Simple
Oil-in-water-in-oil
Thermodynamical
emulsions
(Macro (O/W/O) ly stable optically
emulsions) Water-in-oil-in- transparent ,
Oil-in-water (O/W) water
Water-in-oil (W/O) (W/O/W)
- diameter greater
than
0.1 μm
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General Types of Pharmaceutical Emulsions
Lotions Linime
-nts
Vitamin
drops
Emulsions
Creams
Ointm-
ents
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Advantages of Emulsions
Mask the unpleasant taste O/W is convenient means of oral administration of water-insoluble liquids.
Oil-soluble drugs can be given parentrally in form of oil-in water emulsion. (e.g Taxol).
Emulsion can be used for external application in cosmetic and therapeutic Application because of Better
and faster absorption.
Sustained release medication.
Nutritional supplement.
Inert and chemically non-reactive.
Reasonably odorless and cost Effective.
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Disadvantages of Emulsions
Emulsions are thermodynamically unstable and have short shelf-life.
Improper formulation of emulsions leads to creaming and cracking of
emulsion.
Improper selection of emulsifying agent leads to phase inversion and
some times it may also lead to cracking.
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Identification test for Emulsions:
By using Naked eye, it is very difficult to differentiate between o/w or
w/o emulsions. Thus, the following methods have been used to
identify the type of emulsions.
1) Dye Test
2) Dilution Test
3) Electrical conductivity Test
4) Fluorescence Test.
5) Cobalt Chloride Test.
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1) Dye TEST:
Water-soluble dye will dissolve in the aqueous
phase.
Oil-soluble dye will dissolve in the oil phase.
Microscopic View
Oil-soluble dye (e.g. Scarlet) Water-soluble dye (e.g. Amaranth dye)
W/O O/W O/W W/O
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11/20/2024
Dye Solubility Test
In this test, when an emulsion is mixed with a water soluble dye such as
amaranth 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
and the dye will dissolve in it to give color but if the scattered globules appear
red and continuous phase colorless, then it is w/o type. Similarly if an oil
soluble dye such as Scarlet red C or Sudan III is added to an emulsion and the
continuous phase appears red, then it w/o emulsion. 13
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2) 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.
Few drops
of water Water distribute
uniformly O/W emulsion
Few drops Water separate
of emulsion out as layer W/O emulsion
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3) Conductivity test:
As we know water is good conductor of electricity
whereas oil is non-conductor. Therefore, continuous
phase of water runs electricity more than continuous
phase of oil.
Bulb
Bulb glows with O/W
Bulb doesn’t glow with W/O
Electrode
Emulsion
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Conductivity Test
This test is based on the basic principle that water is a good conductor of
electricity. Therefore in case of o/w emulsion , this test will be positive as
water is the external phase. In this test. An assembly consisting of a pair
of electrodes connected to a lamp is dipped into an emulsion. If the
emulsion is o/w type, the lamp glows.
11/20/2024 PHT 312 17
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3) 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.
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4) Cobalt Chloride test:
Principle:
Cobalt Chloride solution is used for identification of Emulsion. It is water
soluble so it changes colour when encountered by O/W emulsion.
Procedure:
Filter paper is Dipped in Emulsion.
Filter paper changes its color from blue to Pink
Result:
Emulsion is O/W otherwise not.
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DIFFERENCE BETWEEN O/W AND W/O EMULSIONS
Oil in water emulsion (o/w) Water in oil emulsion (w/o)
Water is the dispersion medium and oil is the dispersed phase Oil is the dispersion medium and water is the dispersed phase
They are non greasy and easily removable from the skin surface They are greasy and not water washable
They are used externally to provide cooling effect e.g. vanishing They are used externally to prevent evaporation of moisture from
cream the surface of skin e.g. Cold cream
Water soluble drugs are more quickly released from o/w Oil soluble drugs are more quickly released from w/o emulsions
emulsions
They are preferred for formulations meant for internal use as They are preferred for formulations meant for external use
bitter taste of oils can be masked. like creams.
O/W emulsions give a positive conductivity test as water is the W/O emulsions go not give a positive conductivity test as oil is the
external phase which is a good conductor of electricity. external phase which is a poor conductor of electricity.
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