Chapter 14 Dispersed Systems

Disperse System
-The term "Disperse System" refers to a system in which one substance (The Dispersed
Phase) is distributed, in discrete units, throughout a second substance (the continuous
Phase or vehicle).
as
- Each phase can exist in solid, liquid, or gaseous state.
- The particles of the dispersed phase vary in size, from large particles visible
to the naked eye to particles of colloidal dimension, ranging between 1.0
nanometer and 0.5 micrometer.
*The term "particle" should not be confused with "molecule". The molecule is
the smallest unit of any chemical compound that possesses all the native
properties of that compound. Particles concise of numerous molecules,
generally in solid state (but can be liquid or gaseous).
- Dispersions containing course particles usually 10 to 50 micrometer, are
called as coarse dispersions ( suspensions and emulsions ). Dispersions
containing of smaller size are termed fine dispersion (0.5-10 micrometer)
such as Magmas and gels and, if the particles are in the colloidal range,
colloidal dispersions.
Particles in a coarse dispersion have a greater tendency to separate from
the dispersion medium than do the particles of fines dispersions, mainly
because of their greater size. Most solids in dispersion tend to settle at the
bottom of the container because of their greater density than the dispersion
medium.
Complete and uniform redistribution of the dispersed phase is essential to
the accurate administration of uniform doses.
SUSPENSIONS
-Suspensions are preparations containing finely divided drug particles (the
suspensoid) distributed somewhat uniformly throughout a vehicle in which
the drug exhibits a minimum degrade of solubility. Generally, this type of
product is a powder mixture containing the drug and suitable suspending
and dispersing agents to be diluted nag agitated with a specified quantity of
vehicle, most often purified water.
-Prepared suspensions not requiring reconstitution at the time of dispensing
are simply designated as "Oral Suspension"
Reasons fo Suspension
- Certain drugs are chemically unstable in solution but stable when
suspended.
- For many patients the liquid form is preferred than the solid form of the
same drug because liquid is easier to swallow and the flexibility in

administration of a range of doses. This is particularly advantageous for
infants, children, and the elderly.
-The disadvantage of a disagreeable taste of certain drugs in solution form is
overcome when the drug is administered as undissolved particles of an oral
suspension.
- Oral suspensions are aqueous preparations with the vehicle flavored and
sweetened to suit the anticipated taste preferences of the intended patient.
Features Desired in a Pharmaceutical Suspension
In addition to therapeutic efficacy, chemical stability of the components of
the formulation , permanency of the preparation, and aesthetic appeal of the
preparation, desirable qualities in all pharmaceutical preparations, a few
other features apply more specifically to the pharmaceutical suspension:
1. A properly prepared pharmaceutical suspension should settle slowly and
should be readily redispersed upon gentle shaking of the container.
2. The particle size of the suspension should remain fairly constant
throughout long periods of undisturbed standing.
3. The suspension should pour readily and evenly from its container.
Sedimentation Rate of the Particles of a Suspension
The various factors involved in the rate of settling of the particles of a
suspension are embodied in the equation of Stokes Law.
The Stokes equation was derived for an ideal situation in which uniform,
perfectly spherical particles in a very dilute suspension settle without
producing turbulence , suspensoid, and without chemical or physical
attraction or affinity for the suspension. Obviously, the Stokes equation does
not apply to usual pharmaceutical suspension.
However, the basic concepts of the equation do give a valid indication of the
factors that are important to suspension of particles and a clue to the
possible adjustments that can be made to a formulation to decrease the rate
of sedimentation.
Reducing the particle size of the dispersed phase produces a slower rate of
descent of the particles. Also,the greater that density of the particles, the
greater the rate of descent, provided the density of the vehicle is not altered.
If the particles are less dense than the vehicle, they would tend to float.
The rate of sedimentation may be appreciably reduced by increasing the
viscosity of the dispersion medium, and within limits of practicality,this may
be done. However. a product having too high a viscosity is not generally

desirable because it pours with difficulty and it is difficult to redisperse the
suspension.
The viscosity of the pharmaceutical preparation may be determined through
the use of a viscometer, such as Brookfield viscometer, which measures
viscosity by the force required to rotate spindle in the fluid being tested.
The physical stability of pharmaceutical suspension appears to be most
appropriately adjusted by an alteration in the dispersed phase rather than
through great changes in the dispersion medium.
Physical Features of the Dispersed Phase of a Suspension
Generally, particle size reduction is accomplished by dry milling prior to
incorporation of the dispersed phase into the dispersion medium .
One of the most rapid, convenient, and inexpensive methods of producing
fine drug powders of 1050 m size is micropulverization. Micropulverizers are
high speed attrition or impact mills that are efficient in reducing powders to the size
acceptable for most oral and topical suspensions.
For still finer particles, under 10 m, fluid energy grinding, sometimes refered to as jet
milling or micronizing, is quite effective. By this process, the shearing action of highvelocity compressed airstreams on the particles in a confined space produces the
desired ultrafine or micronized particles. The particles to be micronized are swept into
violent turbulence by the sonic and supersonic velocities of the airstreams. The particles
are accelerated to high velocities and collide with one another, resulting in
fragmentation. This method may be employed when the particles are intended for
parenteral or opthalmic suspensions.
Particles of extremely small dimensions may also be produced by spray drying. A
spray dryer is a cone-shaped apparatus into which a solution of a drug is sprayed
rapidly dried by a current of warm, dry air circulating in the cone. The resulting dry
powder is collected.weak
It is not possible for a pharmacist to achieve the same degree of particle size reduction
with such comminuting equipment as the mortar and pestle.
The reduction in particle size produces slow, more uniform rates of settling. However,
one should avoid reducing the particle size too much because fine particles have
tendency to form a compact cake upon settling to the bottom of the container.
The particle shape of the suspensoid can also affect caking and product stability. The
needle-shaped particles formed a tenacious sediment cake on standing that could not
be redistributed, whereas the barrel-shaped particles dis not cake upon standing.
One common method of preventing ridged cohesion of small particles of a suspension
is intentional formation of less rigid or loose aggregation of the particles held together by
comparatively weak particle-to-particle bonds.

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Disperse System

same drug because liquid is easier to swallow and the flexibility in

be done. However. a product having too high a viscosity is not generally

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