Adjusting and Resetting of the Pre-determined Storage Temperature for O/W Emulsions

Abstract

Adjusting and resetting the predetermined storage temperature of O/W miconazole cream from 20-24° to be 30° to coincide with the storage temperature of the Egyptian climatic ICH/WHO zone IVA was the objective of this work. Eight sets of miconazole cream were prepared by using different proportions of the oil phase ingredients while their ratios were fixed at 30 %. The calculated HLB values of the oil phases were 9.067, 9.134, 9.2, 9.267, 9.36, 9.46, 9.566 and 9.6. These eight sets have same optimum surfactants blend proportions equal to 0.5:0.5 and same effective surfactant blend concentration equal to 7 %. Sets which have storage temperature equal to 30±2° were assessed according to the acceptance criteria of the accelerating stability testing protocol for O/W emulsions stabilized by nonionic surfactants (aqueous surfactant two-phase systems) as previously reported. Only two sets, numbered 2 and 4 with storage temperature of 30.5 and 32°, respectively met the acceptance criteria of aqueous surfactant two-phase system. The applicability and validity of the method was confirmed by measuring zeta potential and particle size distribution of original miconazole cream set, set numbers 2 and 4. Zeta potential and particle size distribution of the three sets were measured on a Zetasizer with zeta potential results equal to -20, -30.7, -41.7 mV and particle size distribution results equal to 560.8, 387.6, 386.5 nm, respectively. Particle size distribution was also measured using a transmission electron microscope with results equal to 84.875, 49.168 and 46.05 nm, respectively. These results indicated that zeta potential defined the emulsion stability accurately and precisely whereas particle size distribution measurement gave unreliable and indefinite results. Zeta potential results revealed that the increase in the storage temperature of emulsion to 30° is accompanied by an increase in its stability. Increasing temperature beyond 30 is possible and would result in subsequent increase in stability due to the presence of liquid crystalline phase below 35°, which contributes significantly to emulsion stability while the destructive effect of the temperature starts at 35°. Unreliable and indefinite results of particle size measurement proved that the droplet diameter and droplet size measurement reported in many reports is more convenient. This work described a theory to determine the storage temperature of materials, pharmaceuticals, foods and cosmetics obeying non-Newtonian plastic flow.

Keywords

Kadry’ theory, ICH/WHO climatic zones, zeta potential and particle size distribution measurements, storage temperature, non-Newtonian plastic flow, relative humidity

In general, temperature and relative humidity are the two main factors affecting stability testing and storage conditions of pharmaceuticals, foods and cosmetics. Although relative humidity should be discussed with temperature due to the close relationship between those and their great impact on each other but the dilemma is that the theory on which the research is based is not applicable for the humidity. To illustrate how important the storage temperature of pharmaceuticals is, Schumacher (1972) and Grimm (1986, 1998)[1-3] and two large organizations such as the International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH) and World Health Organization (WHO) have studied not only how the storage temperature affected the stability of pharmaceuticals but also divided the world into four different climatic zones and the fourth one was further divided into two separate zones. Egypt belongs to the climatic ICH/WHO zone IVA region, which is hot and humid with long term storage condition equal to 30°/65 % RH[4-6]. Storage conditions and evaluation of finished pharmaceutical products reported in WHO concluded that the stability data must demonstrate stability of the medicinal product throughout its intended shelf life under the climatic conditions prevalent in the target countries. Merely applying the same requirements appropriate to other markets could potentially lead to substandard products if stability studies are conducted at the storage conditions for countries in climatic zone I/II for products intended to be supplied to countries in climatic zones III and IV[7]. Stability testing requirements of pharmaceutical products were studied by Bajaj et al.[8], Singh and Bakshi[9], WHO[10-21], ICH[22-31] as well as many other official, international and national guidelines including FDA[32], in addition to many other researchers[33-38]. In conclusion the storage condition and shelf life storage stability testing conditions should be established with due regard to the climatic zone(s) in which the product is to be marketed and distributed in. Although resetting of the pre-determined storage temperature required for O/W emulsions to coincide with the climatic zone of distribution in the climatic ICH/WHO zone IVA of Egypt (30º) was the objective of this research but it could be followed and applied for the other climatic ICH/WHO zones as well. Another objective of this work was a call for clear, specific orders and instructions from the responsible authorities and international organization specialized in medicines, foods and cosmetics for the manufacturers to formulate their products to coincide with the required storage temperature of the climactic zone to which their products have been distributed right from the start. The importance and strength of this work lies in its applicability to determine the storage temperature of materials, pharmaceuticals, foods and cosmetics obeying non-Newtonian plastic flow (Kadry’ theory). Pharmaceuticals such as suspensions, creams, colloid systems, foam and three-dimensional network microstructure of creams suggested by Adeyeye et al.[39], plastic gels, flocculated suspensions of aluminum hydroxide, foods (e.g. tomato paste), cosmetics (e.g. toothpaste), plasticine or soap are examples of these products[40-42].

Materials and Methods

Zeta potential and particle size distribution was determined by Zetasizer Nano-ZS, Malvern Instruments (UK); transmission electron microscope (TEM) Jeol 1200-EX II TEM (Jeol Ltd, Tokyo, Japan); RZR1 stirring paddle (Heidolph Instruments Gmbh & Co. KG, Germany); Jenway model 4510 conductivity/ TDS meter (UK); A Jenway model 3510 pH meter (UK); Thermometer 150 (76 mm 1 mm, N2 filled GH, Zeal, Ltd, England); 100 ml and 600 ml glass-ware beakers grade A (Ilmabor TGI, Germany); Burette (0.1/DIN/AS 50 ml, Germany); MS-H-Pro Digital hotplate magnetic stirrer (USA); PGW453e, 750.0 g, d=0.001 g Adam balance (UK). All equipment’s were calibrated, approved and ready for use.

Emulsion compositions:

Formulations are composed of 2 % miconazole nitrate (Jiangsu Nhwa Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. China), which was used as the active ingredient, 8-15 % paraffin oil (Apar industries Co. Ltd. India), 9-13 % soft paraffin (Jell Pharmaceuticals Pvt Co. Ltd. India) and 4.412- 10 % beeswax (Cisme Co. Italy) were used as oil phase, 3.5 % Tween 80 and 3.5 % Span 80 (Kolb Co. Switzerland) were used as emulsifiers, 0.02 % propyl paraben base (Salicylates and Chemicals Co. Ltd. India) and 0.15 % methyl paraben base (Wuhu Huahai Biology Engineering Co. Ltd. China) were used as preservatives, 5 % sorbitol (Roquette Lestrem Co. France) and 50.83 % water for injection (Eipico Pharmaceutical Company, Egypt) were used as water phase. All materials were of pharmaceutical grade.

Preparation of emulsions:

The emulsions were prepared using the sudden phase inversion method. The water phase was heated to 80±2° and added portion wise to the oily phase containing both emulsifiers at 80±2° within 30 s, while stirring with RZR1 stirring paddle at speed of 664 rpm. The emulsion was mixed for 20 min as a fixed time. Different emulsions were made in triplicate. All parameters were measured after 24 h[43-45].

Conductivity and phase inversion temperature (PIT) range determination:

Conductivity and PIT ranges were determined by measuring the specific conductivity and temperature of 60 ml of emulsion that was continuously agitated at 100 rpm with small propeller stirrer. The emulsion was heated at a steady rate using MS-H-Pro Digital hotplate magnetic stirrer. The specific conductivity of each O/W emulsion was measured without any dilutions, at room temperature (25±2), 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80°. PITs range were detected as a fall of the specific conductivity between any two successive temperature values or they may be detected when two successive conductivity values are nearly equal (steady state of conductivity values). The results quoted are the means of three determinations[43].

Determination of yield value represented as temperature (YVT) - storage temperature:

The specific conductivity of each tested cream was measured without any dilutions, at room temperature (25±2), 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80°. In this way, a rheogram can be constructed by plotting temperature versus conductivity by increasing temperature up to 80°. YVT for all the samples can hence be obtained from the least squares fitted lines by extrapolating the linear lines to the zero temperature X-axis. The storage temperature of the sample is the YVT of its temperature-conductivity relationship[43-45]. All parameters were measured after 24 h.

Preparation of Srilane cream:

Samples of Srilane cream were purchased from the Egyptian market and prepared as follows: 150 g of each purchased O/W cream were weighed and stirred with RZR1 stirring paddle (Heidolph Instruments Gmbh and Co. KG, Germany) at a speed of 664 rpm for 5 min as a fixed time to assure a complete mixing.

Measurement of zeta potential, particle size by intensity and by number:

This procedure is suitable for most samples of conductivity less than 5 mS, dispersant was water, dispersant RI was 1.330, viscosity (cP) was 0.8872, dispersant dielectric constant was 78.5, material RI was 1.59, material absorption was 0.010. System details for zeta potential: temperature: 25°, zeta runs equal to 12, count rate (kcps) were 79.5, 99.9, 69.2 for original formula, formula number 2 and 4, respectively, measurement position (mm) was 2.00, cell description (clear disposable zeta cell), attenuator were 5, 6, 6 for original formula, formula number 2 and formula 4, respectively. System details for particle size were, temperature was 24.9°, duration rate(s) were 60, 70, 70 for original formula, formula number 2 and 4, respectively, count rate (kcps) were 334.5, 119.5, 233.8 for original formula, formula number 2 and 4, respectively, measurement position (mm) was 5.5, cell description (clear disposable zeta cell) and attenuator was 7. The instrument is located in the Egyptian Petroleum Research Institute (Egypt).

Measurement of particle size by transmission electron microscope (TEM):

Just before the measurement, the sample was dispersed in 10 ml distilled water and placed in MCS Sonicator (China) for 20 min at 40°. The suspension was deposited on 200 mesh copper grid covered with carbon film (CF200-CU). The sample was dried on filter paper and observed using a TEM at an accelerating voltage of 100 kV. The used TEM is located in the faculty of science Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.

Results and Discussion

In previously reported work, the storage temperature of miconazole nitrate cream equal to 20-24º was determined through the determination of YVT of its temperature-conductivity relationship[44]. Adjusting and resetting of this temperature to 30º will increase the cream stability. This assumption is based on the fact that; concerning the non-Newtonian plastic flow, the material does not begin to flow until a shearing stress, corresponding to the yield value is exceeded i.e. the material of cream does not begin to flow until a force of shearing stress corresponding to the yield value represented in this work as temperature is exceeded[46]. Since the flow of the cream would affect its stability, so increase in the YVT would increase the stability of the material as it will require a higher force of shearing stress to flow.

The optimum surfactants blend (OSB), the effective surfactants blend concentration (ESBC), the right oil phase concentration and the storage temperature of emulsion under examination were determined previously[43-45]. These values equal to OSB=5:5 and HLB value=9.65, ESBC=7 %, oil concentration= 30 % and storage temperature=20-24°, respectively as previously reported[43-45]. To adjust and reset the storage temperature from 20-24° to 30º, eight sets of miconazole cream were prepared using different proportions of the oil phase ingredients while their total ratios were fixed at 30 %. The calculated HLB values of the oil phases were 9.067, 9.134, 9.2, 9.267, 9.36, 9.46, 9.566 and 9.6, which a little bit more or less different from the required HLB value of the oil phase of the original reported formula equal to 9.32 by approximately ±0.3. These values are less than the required HLB value of the optimum surfactant blend which is equal to 9.65. Changing the composition of the oil phases of these creams while their ratios were fixed at 30 % would change not only their HLB values but also their YVTs. Product names, batch numbers, production date, expiration date, type of surfactants used, manufacturer and the YVT of each set were recorded in Table 1. Emulsion compositions were recorded in Table 2. The conductivities of the 8 sets and the original miconazole formula were measured directly as they are at temperature equal to 25°±2, 40, 50, 60, 70 and 80°. Averages of responses of conductivities in μS/cm were recorded in Table 3. The temperature-conductivity relations representing these formulae were revealed in fig. 1. HLB values of oil phases of the prepared emulsions, HLB values of the surfactants blend, R² values, slope values, PIT values and YVTs were recorded in Table 4. Sets which have storage temperature equal to 30±2° (2° was added due to the experimental errors) were assessed according to the acceptance criteria of the accelerating stability testing protocol (ASTP) for O/W emulsions stabilized by nonionic surfactants, as previously reported. Acceptance criteria of ASTP include; the stable cream should have strong temperature-conductivity relationship with R²≥0.909, YVT≥21° and PIT more than 80°[44]. Set numbers 3, 5, 6 and 8 were neglected as they have storage temperature equal to 12°, 20°, unidentified and 27°, respectively which were lower than the recommended storage temperature equal to 30°±2. Set numbers 1, 2, 4 and 7 were assessed according to the acceptance criteria of ASTP as they have a storage temperature equal to 32, 30.5°, 32° and 29°, respectively. Set numbers 1 and 7 have PITs more than 80° and 80° but they were neglected as they have R² values equal to 0.842 and 0.626, respectively. Only set numbers 2 and 4 with storage temperature equal to 30.5° and 32°, respectively met the acceptance criteria of ASTP because they have strong temperatureconductivity relation with R² equal to 0.945, 0.939, PIT more than 80° and YVTs equal to 30.5°, 32°[44]. These 2 temperatures coincided with the temperature of climatic ICH/WHO zone IVA of equal to 30°. The applicability and validity of the method was confirmed by measuring zeta potential and particle size distribution of original miconazole cream set, set numbers 2 and 4. Zeta potential and particle size distribution of the three sets were measured by Zetasizer with zeta potential results equal to –20, –30.7, –41.7 mV and particle size distribution results equal to 560.8, 387.6, 386.5 nm, respectively. Particle size distribution was also measured using TEM with results equal to 84.875, 49.168 and 46.05 nm, respectively. The results of zeta potential were recorded in Table 5 and revealed in fig. 2. Particle size distribution measurement by Zetasizer and TEM were recorded in Tables 6 and 7, respectively. TEM images were revealed in fig. 3.

Table 1: Purchased and prepared O/W creams

Table 2: Composition of miconazole nitrate creams

Table 3: Average responses of conductivities of all tested creams

Table 4: Results of all tested creams

Table 5: Results of zeta potential reports

Table 6: Size distribution reports by intensity, number and statistics

Table 7: Measurments of particle size by transmition electron microscope

According to Riddick’ scale[47] for the stability of solution with relation to zeta potential, the above mentioned results indicated that set number 2 has a medium stability while set number 4 has a good stability and the original miconazole cream set has the lowest stability of the three sets.

Measurements of particle size distribution by Zetasiezer and TEM gave unreliable and indefinite results. This indicated that measuring particle size is not adequate to judge stability whereas the droplet size measurement suggested by Prinderre et al.[48], Bagwe et al.[49] and De Morais et al.[50] was more accurate and convenient. Prinderre et al. concluded that the minimum droplet diameter corresponded to the most stable emulsion and the average diameter of droplets reached a minimum value for required HLB value of the formulated O/W emulsions[48]. Bagwe et al. and De Morais et al. reported that emulsions were metastable (low stability) colloids with droplet sizes generally larger than 1 μm (from 0.5-5 μ). Under certain conditions, the oil droplets in an emulsion can be made small enough not to reflect light, hence forming a transparent dispersion known as microemulsion, which are transparent because of small droplet size generally <100 nm[49], nano emulsions consisted of very fine emulsions with droplet sizes between those of conventional emulsions and microemulsions i.e. with a typical size range of 20 up to 500 nm[50].

It should be noted that the recorded results of particle size measured by TEM were smaller than that measured by zetasizer. The samples measured by TEM were dispersed in 10 ml distilled water and placed in MCS Sonicator for 20 min at 40° i.e. the smaller results are due to sonication process. These results were accepted for comparison between the three sets as all samples were measured under the same condition. In previously reported papers Hassan[43] and Lin et al.[51] proved that the required HLB value of the OSB was more than the HLB value of the oil phase by values equal to 0.15 and 0.5, respectively whereas in this work the HLB value of the OSB was more than the HLB values of the oil phase of the original reported formula and the two formulae of sets number 2 and 4 by values equal to 0.33, 0.416 and 0.383, respectively.

As a rule the creams prepared using anionic, amphoteric and cationic surfactants are not inverted by increasing the temperature i.e. they are not characterized by their PITs like nonionic surfactants cream, so they are not assessed according the ASTP previously reported for O/W emulsions stabilized by nonionic surfactants. The storage temperatures of creams prepared by anionic, amphoteric, cationic and nonionic surfactants were determined by the determination of the YVT of its temperature-conductivity relationship i.e. the storage temperature was determined whatever the surfactants type used. Srilane cream is an example of an O/W cream formulated by anionic surfactants (Emulgade F) and has storage temperature equal to 24°. This temperature is revealed in fig. 1. Adjusting and resetting of the pre-determined storage temperature of O/W emulsions prepared by anionic, cationic and amphoteric surfactants should be studied.

Finally the results indicated that the original O/W miconazole nitrate cream and the creams of set numbers 2 and 4 would attain their physical, chemical and microbiological attributes and predict that there would be no significant change during the stability period.

As an opinion, to formulate an O/W emulsion by using nonionic surfactants and with storage temperature equal to 30±2º. The oil phase of this emulsion should contain more than one ingredient with different required HLB values. The greater the rate of difference between the required HLB values of the oil phase ingredients, the greater the possibility to obtain the desired required HLB value of the oil phase that will give the cream with required storage temperature. After that, the formulator determines the OSB, ESBC, right oil phase concentration, YVT, the calculated required HLB of the OSB and that of the oil phase. It is important to note that, the preparation of the above mentioned eight sets of creams should depend on the situation of the formula and the rate of difference in the required HLB values of the ingredients of the oil phase (i.e. runs may be increased or decreased according to the status). Sets which have storage temperature equal to 30±2° were assessed according to the acceptance criteria of ASTP. Zeta potential for the formulae of choice may be determined if needed. As general, there are many factors that may be considered and studied to adjust and reset the pre-determined storage temperature required for O/W emulsions like e.g. changing of the homogenization processes required by oil and water phases, the cooling process, the sequences of addition and mixing of the ingredients, the sequences and method of addition of the phases to each other, the type, sequences, concentration and the method of addition of surfactants blend to the different phases, the time required for mixing, the speed of mixing process, the type and properties of mixing machine in use, the addition and/or the removal of a material, the usage of an alternative method of emulsion preparation, agitation process, changing of the water phase compositions and their concentration in the emulsion under investigation. Lin[52] concluded that in many systems tested, while the addition of a surfactant to an already emulsified system could enhance its stability, the addition of the same amount of the same surfactant prior to emulsification can hinder the emulsification process and could cause the formation of unstable emulsions and also that, the presence of certain hydrophilic or lipophilic surfactants, at amount in excess of the quantities needed/required for optimum emulsification can sometimes result in a degradation of o/w emulsion. So the trials of increasing the storage temperature and hence increasing the stability may include the addition of amount in excess of the OSB to an already emulsified system as the increase of the stability will indirectly increase the YVT. This amount in excess of the surfactant blend and the other mentioned factors should be discussed and studied. However, it should be noted that there has been considerable interest in the development and utilization of particle-based emulsifiers recently, which are capable of stabilizing emulsions through a Pickering stabilization mechanism. These particles may also be used in mixtures with molecular emulsifiers or with other particle-based emulsifiers to improve emulsion stability or create improved functional attributes[53]. The work of Enver[54] indicated that the programmed viscometric technique of determining inversion revealed the presence of a liquid crystalline phase below 35°, which contributes significantly to emulsion stability. Hence these results indicated that the increase in the storage temperature of emulsion to 30° is accompanied by an increase in its stability. Increasing temperature beyond 30° is possible and would result in subsequent increase in stability due to the presence of the liquid crystalline phase, which contributes significantly to emulsion stability while the destructive effect of the temperature starts at 35°. Theoretically and logically this suggestion is right according to this work and Enver’ work but actually it needs practical confirmation and should be studied. The importance and strength of this work lies in its applicability to determine the storage temperature of materials, pharmaceuticals, foods and cosmetics obeying non-Newtonian plastic flow (Kadry’ theory).

Acknowledgments:

The author would like to thank United Pharmaceutical Industries, Cosmetics and Chemicals SAE Co. (UPICC Co.), Cairo, Egypt and Alaa Ahmed Kadry for her assistance.

Conflict of interest:

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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