Thursday 11 April 2013

EXPERIMENT 1 : EMULSION (PART 2)

 Results andDiscussion
3) The viscosity of the emulsion;

Group (mL)
before heat cycle
SD (sebelum')
after heat cycle
SD (selepas)
Viscosity difference(%)
1 (20)
90
10
96.67
5.77
7.41
2 (25)
409.9
17.32
739.83
69.22
80.4
3 (30)
219.96
17.26
459.9
75.49
109.1
4 (35)
633.33
28.87
300
0
52.6
5 (20)
110
10
136.67
5.77
24.2
6 (25)
409.9
17.32
810.9
68.82
97.8
7 (30)
53.33
5.77
50
0
6.24
8 (35)
826.67
90.18
926.67
30.55
12.1




The viscosity difference of the emulsion;



Our formulation should be the same as Group 8. However, incorrect techniques makes us unable to form a good emulsion. Same as other groups, we also use the wet gum method and we make mistake at the mixing process which is the initial step. The acacia gum added to the mortar and mixed it slowly with water by using the pestle until a smooth qum is formed. Overmixing can generate heat and may denature or rupture the nature structure of the emulsifying agent which is the acacia gum. The smooth gum is mixed vigorously only after the oil is triturated in portions.
Without the stabilising effect of emulsifying agent, the cohesive forces become more favourable than the adhesive forces, hence the interfacial tension increases, and the oil globules tends to coalesce in order to reduce the surface free energy which is thermodynamically favourable. Eventually, there will a separation into different phases and breaking process of the emulsion will happen. That is why the viscosity of our emulsion is lower compared to Group 8 before the heat cycle process is carried out.
As the lab is about to close during that evening, our emulsion also have to be stored about 24 hours before the next heat cycle process. This will extent the rate of phase separation and the breaking process.  As a result, the viscosity of the emulsion become lower after the heat cycle process.


4. Plot graph of separated phase ratio formed from the centrifugation process versus the different volume of oil.





 The table and graph above show the ratio of separation phase, the average value and their standard deviation to indicate the stability of the emulsion. Basically, a good emulsion must be stable enough to not undergo coalescence, phase separation and reverse phase. Otherwise, the formulation will cause a lots of problems including the inaccurate dose to the patients resulting in overdose or underdose which can exacerbate the patient conditions.          
               
                Generally, an emulsion with a high ratio of separation phase is not stable , on the contrary, the emulsion with the lowest ratio of separation phase is the most stable. In this experiment, 25 ml of  Arachis oil mix with 6.25g of acacia and  other excipients  show the highest ratio of phase separation followed by 30 ml of olive oil,20ml of palm oil and 35ml of the mineral oil. Theoretically, the separation phase ratio should be increasing with the increasing of the mineral oil contain in the formulation.
          
         The date obtained from the experiment maybe inaccurate due to some error in the process in which the experiment is carried out. The different types of oils being used in the experiment is one of the main reason for the inaccurate data. Different types of oil needs different amount of acacia to obtain a good emulsion. Besides, This may due to the homogenous process was not done properly. Inaccurate measurement of the highly viscous surfactant that is to be added into the formulation is also one of the reasons. In addition, the height of the separated phase might not be measure accurately too.


5. What is the function of each ingredient used in the emulsion preparation? How can the different amount of ingredients influence the physical characteristics and the stability of the emulsion?

  • Mineral oil – the oily phase in the o/w emulsion
  • Acacia – emulsifying agent which reduces the interfacial tension and maintain the separation of the droplets in the dispersed phase.
  • Syrup – as the sweetening agent and increase the viscosity of the emulsion
  • Vanillin – as the flavoring agent
  • Alcohol – as the antimicrobial agent
  • Distilled water – as the aqueous phase in the o/w emulsion

           Amount of the mineral oil (oily phase) and the distilled water (aqueous phase) used is important to determine the type of emulsion formed, whether o/w or w/o emulsion. The volume of the dispersed phase should not be more than the volume of the continuous phase. Or else, phase inversion will occur.
           Acacia which acts as the emulsifying agent should be used in appropriate amount according to the HLB value. If the amount used is less than which is required, the emulsion formed is not uniform due to the large interfacial tension between the dispersed phase and the continuous phase. Then the separation of phase will occur.
            Syrup will affect the viscosity of the emulsion formed as it is a viscous liquid. Suitable amount of syrup should be used to give suitable viscosity to the emulsion formed. Viscosity of the emulsion will affect the physical stability and the rheological characteristic of the emulsion. Alcohol which acts as the antimicrobial agent should not be used in large amount to reduce toxicity.

Conclusion

The HLB value of the surfactant used will affect the stability of the emulsion formed. The higher the amount of oily phase used in the emulsion, the emulsion formed will be more unstable. Homogenization causes the reduction in size of the globules in the emulsion and the emulsion formed is more homogenous and smooth.

Reference
Aulton, M.E. Pharmaceutics: The science of dosage form design. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone.
   
      Appendices
      Our emulsion after being centrifuged :





Our emulsion after the heat cycle process:


Our emulsion before (B) and after (A) the homogenization process:


video how to prepare emulsion :

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