Influence of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, methylcellulose, gelatin, poloxamer 407 and poloxamer 188 on the formation and stability of soybean oil-in-water emulsions

Macromolecules of polysaccharides, proteins and poloxamers have a hydrophobic portion and a hydrophilic one that can be used as emulsifiers. Parts of these emulsifiers are safe pharmaceutical excipients, which can replace the irritant low molecular weight surfactants to formulate emulsions for the pharmaceutical field. This project focused on preparing O/W emulsions stabilized with polymers for pharmaceuticals such as polysaccharides, proteins and poloxamers, including hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), methylcellulose (MC), gelatin, poloxamer 407 (F127) and poloxamer 188 (F68). Emulsion physical stability was assessed by centrifugation, autoclaving sterilization and droplet size measurements. The stabilization mechanisms of emulsions were determined by interfacial tension and rheological measurements. Results stated that the efficacy of these polymers for pharmaceuticals stabilized emulsions was sorted in the order: F127 > F68 > HPMC > MC > Gelatin.