Study оf Concentrated Emulsions’ Structural-Mechanical Properties Dependence From the Type and Concentration of Surfactant

Abstract

Objective: Of great interest are emulsion systems as carriers of active substances, due to physiological feasibility of the emulsion application. The presence of water in the emulsion composition promotes wetting, hydration of the skin surface, which in turn contributes to enhanced absorption and resorption processes. Absorption activation is greatly facilitated by surface - active agents (surfactants) - mandatory components of emulsion systems. Fats, being the carrier of natural nutrients can functionally replace skin lipids in their lack. To emulsion systems can be included substances with different physicochemical properties increasing their bioavailability and directing the action to the focus of inflammation. The aim of the work was to develop the base for the medicinal preparation in the form of a cream based on a 1st kind emulsion, intended for the treatment of dermatological diseases. For this purpose the studies of structural and mechanical properties of the concentrated emulsion systems dependence both on the type of the oil phase, and on the composition and concentration of the emulsifying mixture have been performed.

Methods: At the stage of the components of the semisolid medicine base substantiation were used structural-mechanical (rheological) (instruments RheolabQC, Anton Paar (Austria)) and microscopic research methods (Krüss MBL 3200 microscope, Germany).

Results: Structural-mechanical (rheological) properties of emulsion systems, such as viscosity, plasticity, elasticity and thixotropy directly depend on the composition and concentration of the emulsifying mixture. The aggregate of these indicators has allowed us evaluating the qualitative characteristics of the samples under study, such as physical stability, spreadability and extrusion from tubes.

Conclusions: Based on the obtained results for subsequent studies was selected the sample containing vaseline oil as an oil phase and a composition of an emulsifying mixture: 1st type emulsifier - OS-20 at a concentration of 3%, 2nd type emulsifier cetostearyl alcohol-7%.