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HLB Values and Saa Functionality: Technical Brief 2010 Volume 1

This technical brief discusses surface active agents (SAAs) and their applications based on their HLB values. Table 1 shows common HLB values and the types of applications they are suited for, such as water-in-oil emulsions requiring an HLB of 3-6. Figure 1 depicts the reduction in surface tension that occurs as the concentration of an SAA at the surface increases. Figure 2 shows different self-assembled structures SAAs can form, including lamellar, hexagonal, and vesicle phases, with vesicle phases able to entrap active pharmaceutical ingredients.

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80 views2 pages

HLB Values and Saa Functionality: Technical Brief 2010 Volume 1

This technical brief discusses surface active agents (SAAs) and their applications based on their HLB values. Table 1 shows common HLB values and the types of applications they are suited for, such as water-in-oil emulsions requiring an HLB of 3-6. Figure 1 depicts the reduction in surface tension that occurs as the concentration of an SAA at the surface increases. Figure 2 shows different self-assembled structures SAAs can form, including lamellar, hexagonal, and vesicle phases, with vesicle phases able to entrap active pharmaceutical ingredients.

Uploaded by

Aranga
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Technical Brief 2010 Volume 1

Table 1

HLB VALUES AND 


SAA FUNCTIONALITY
HLB number Application
3-6 W/O emulsions
7-9 Wetting agents
8-15 O/W emulsions
13-15 Detergent
15-18 Solubilizer

Figure 1

SURFACE TENSION FOR AN SAA IN WATER SCHEMATIC OF A SURFACE


ACTIVE AGENT (SAA) 
“SURFACTANT”
Hydrophile Hydrophobe
(“Head”) (“Tail”)
Surface Tension

Critical
Micelle
Charged or Aliphatic/Aromatic
Concentration Uncharged Hydrocarbon or
(CMC) Silicone-based

Air SAA at Surface Surface Saturated Micelle Formation


Surface
Water

Increasing SAA Concentration


Particle Sciences
Figure 2

SAA STRUCTURES
Lamellar Phase Hexagonal Phase Vesicle Phase
Aqueous 
Compartment

Entrapped API
Lipid
Bilayer
Particle Sciences

Phone: +1 610 861 4701 Particle Sciences is a leading integrated provider of formulation
Fax: + 1 610 861 4702
and analytic services and both standard and nanotechnology
3894 Courtney Street Email: [email protected]
Bethlehem, PA 18017-8920, USA
approaches to drug development and delivery.
www.particlesciences.com

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