#27 Mineral Oil Emulsion

Emulsion
- 2 phase system in which one liquid is dispersed in the form of small
globules throughout another liquid in which it is immiscible
- Emulgio
To milk out
3 components
1. Dispersed liquid/ internal phase/ discontinuous phase
2. Dispersion medium/external phase/ continuous phase
3. Intermediate agent/ emulsifying agent/ dispersing or stabilizing agent
Absence of emulsifier
1. Dispersion is unstable
2. Globules undergo coalescence
3. Separate layers of water and oil
Qualities required for emulsifiers
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Compatible with other ingredients

Does not interfere with therapeutic agents stability and efficacy
Stable
Non-toxic
With little or no odor, taste or color
Promote emulsification and maintain stability for intended shelf-life

Types of emulsions
1. Simple
- o/w ; w/o
2. Multiple
- o/w/o ; w/o/w
3. Microemulsion
- Most stable of the 3
- Dispersed phases in very small globules (100-1000A) (1A=0.1nm)
O/W emulsion diluted with water/ aqueous preparation
W/O emulsion oleaginous/ oil miscible liquid
Aqueous phase contains: water-soluble drugs, preservatives, coloring and
flavouring agents
Oil phase contains: fixed/ volatile drugs (oil-soluble vitamins and antiseptic)
Antioxidant added to prevent autooxidation of the oil and rancidity or
destruction of any vitamin present

Purpose of emulsification

1. Pharmaceutically
a. For a stable and homogenous mixture of 2 immiscible liquids
b. Permits administration of liquid drug in minute globules form rather
than in bulk
2. Therapeutically
a. For the rate and degree of absorption of the drug
b. O/W emulsions as vehicle to develop the bioavailability of poorly
absorbed drugs
O/W for palatable administration of distasteful oil (dispersed in a
sweetened, flavoured vehicle)
c. Reduced particle size of oil globules
more digestible and readily absorbed and more effective
d. Applied externally
medicinal agent irritating to the skin surface
- Incorporated in the internal phase (in direct contact with the skin)
e. W/O efmulsion
- applied more evenly on the unbroken skin
- skin covered with a thin sebum, more readily wetted by oil than by
water
O/W easily removed from the skin
Emulsifying agents
1. Natural Emulsifying Agents
Carbohydrates
Acacia - most frequently used
- Tragacanth and agar thickening agents in Acacia emulsified
products
- Chondrus
- Pectin
- Form hydrophilic colloids with water and produce O/W
emulsions

Proteins
Gelatin emulsion prepared from it, too fluid
Egg yolk
Casein
Produce O/W emulsions

2. High molecular weight alcohols

Cholesterol
- Employed in externally used emulsion
- Promote W/O emulsions
Examples: stearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, and glyceryl monostearate
- Thickening and stabilizing agents for O/W emulsions (ex. Lotion
and ointments)

3. Finely divided solids

Examples; Colloidal clays including Bentonite, Magnesium
hydroxide, and Aluminum hydroxide
- Form O/W emulsions when the insoluble material is added to the
aqueous phase (greater volume than of the oleaginous phase)
4. Synthetic (wetting agents), which may be Anionic, Cationic,
Nonionic
Anionic triethanolamine oleate and sodium lauryl sulphate
Cathionic benzalkonium chloride
Nonionic sorbitan esters (span); polyethylene glycol 400
monostearate; polyoxythylene sorbitan esters (tweens)

Method of preparation
1. Wet or English
- E + W + O or G W O
- 4 (oil): 2 (water): 1 (emulsifying agent/ gum)
- Emulsifying agent and water first then add oil slowly
- Triturate in one direction, creamy, sticky mixture with crackling
sound
2. Dry or Continental
- O + E + W or G O W
- 4 (oil): 2(water): 1(emulsifying agent/gum)
- Oil with emulsifying agent first then add water at once
- Triturate in one direction, creamy, sticky mixture with crackling
sound
3. Bottle or Forbes
- 2 (oil): 2(water): 1(emulsifying agent/gum)
- Shaking vigorously
4. Auxillary method
- Hand homogenizer
5. In Situ Soap or nascent oil
- Calcium soap and soft soap
6. Microemulsion
- Dispersed phase in very small globules (100-1000A)
Problems in preparing
1. Creaming

temporary separation of 2 phase

- Shake again
2. Cracking
- Total separation of 2 phase with coalescence
3. Phase inversion
- O/W -> W/O
evaporation of water
Method of Identifying Emulsion
1. Drop dilution test
- Add water ->homo -> o/w
2. Dye solubility
- Oil-soluble - sudan red w/o
- Water-soluble amaranth green o/w
3. Electronic conduction test
- o/w
4. Fluorescence test
- Oil can absorb UV light
w/o
Ingredients
Mineral oil
Acacia
Vanillin
Syrup
Alcohol
Pur. Water q.s. ad

OA
500 mL
125 g
40 mg
100 mL
60 mL
1000 mL

CA

30 mL

Mineral oil Cathartic

Acacia emulsifier/ suspending agent
Vanillin flavorant
Syrup sweetening agent
Alcohol preservative
Water vehicle

Procedure
1. The appropriate amount of acacia is put in a mortar, and a small amount
of water miscible wetting agent, such as syrup, is added to wet the
acacia
2. The calculated amount of water is then gradually added in portions with
trituration
3. The oil is then gradually added with trituration until all the oil has been
added and the primary is formed
4. Add the external phase miscible components

5. Transfer to a graduated cylinder and q.s. ad water

Category: Oral emulsion

Synonym: Liquid Petrolatum Emulsion
Description: Creamy whitish yellow color
Use: Lubricating catarthic with dose of 30 mL
Method of prep: Dry or Continental
White label , *Shake well label, 30 mL wide amber bottle
Things to remember
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

Use clean & dry apparatus

Follow the order of mixing ratio
Trituration technique (hard and fast)
From center to side
One direction
Use sterile container