Importance of Rheology in the field of pharmaceutical sciences
Rheology is the study of matter movement and deformation. Gels and non-Newtonian
fluids, in particular, are frequently encountered in pharmaceutical engineering and manufacture,
as well as when dealing with diverse in vivo fluids, due to their complex flow behavior.
Understanding rheology is therefore critical, as is the capacity to employ rheological
characterisation methods for any pharmaceutical scientist working in the sector. Rheological
techniques are used in the pharmaceutical industry as well as other closely connected sectors
such as food and polymer science. So, rheology is very important from the point of view of
product designing and its processing.
Rheology of Emulsions: Most of the emulsion systems encountered in the field of pharmacies,
such as lotions and creams, are non-Newtonian except for a very few dilutes ones that exhibit
Newtonian behavior. The fluid emulsions such as lotions are usually pseudoplastic, while those
approaching semi-solid behavior such as cosmetic creams is plastic and exhibit marked yield
values. The semi-solid creams are usually viscoelastic. Different rheological behavior can be
conferred on these emulsions by merely varying the dispersed phase concentration and the nature
and concentration of the emulsifying agent. Emulsified systems with good rheological qualities
are more stable, and problems like creaming, coalescence, and cracking are avoided. The release
of drugs from the emulsified systems may also depend on their rheological characteristics.
Rheology of suspensions: Most pharmaceutical suspensions exhibit plastic or pseudoplastic
characteristics along with thixotropic properties. The rheological properties depend on the degree
of the dispersed phase and the type and quantity of the suspending and thickening agent added to
the system. The preferred rheological behavior for a pharmaceutical suspension is that of
pseudoplasticity along with thixotropy. The product thus becomes thick on standing. Proper
selection of the rheological characteristics also improves the physical stability of the suspension,
and the problem like settling, caking and particle growth can be avoided.
Rheology of ointments and gels: The rheological characteristics of gels and ointments directly
affect the stability, elegance, and extrudability of tubes. These also affect the capacity of the
semi-solid to take up solids or liquids, the adherence and spreadability of the product on the skin,
and the release of the active drug from the base. Most of the topical semi solids show plastic
flow behavior. Most of the topical semi solids show plastic flow behavior. Pharmaceutical
pastes, toothpaste, ophthalmic ointments exhibit different flow behaviors ranging from plug flow
to complete streamline flow when extruded from tubes.
Rheology of powders: Good flow properties of powders and granular solids are required to
ensure uninterrupted flow from the hopper and into the die cavities in high-speed tableting
machines. Flow properties are also crucial during the encapsulation of solid materials into
capsules and during the packing of powdered or granular masses. The most important factor
affecting the flow properties of particulate solid is the surface characteristic of the particles.
Improvement in the flow characteristic can be achieved by reducing the surface roughness of
particles and reducing the stickiness between particles.
References
Rheology. (2000). In R. K. S.P Agarwal, Physical Pharmacy (pp. 105-141). CBS Publisher and Distributor.
