Influence of additives on suspension structure

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the stability and texture of three zinc oxide suspensions with different additives. Suspension 1 was made as official magistral formulation Suspensio album 7.5% from Formulae magistrales 2008. Suspension 2 was prepared when 1% carbomer gel was added to suspension 1 and suspension 3 was prepared when polysorbate 20 was added to suspension 2. After stability tests, texture analysis was performed on all suspensions. Following parameters were measured: hardness cycle 1, hardness cycle 2, cohesiveness, adhesiveness, resilience and springiness. The study showed that suspension 3 had the lowest value of hardness, and therefore the best spreadability. Also, suspension 3 was the least sticky of all three, since it was characterized with the lowest adhesiveness. Further, suspension 3 was the most cohesive and is predicted to withstand the stress during packing and use longer than others. On the other hand, the highest values of resilience and springiness were detected for suspension 1, while the lowest was related to suspension 2. Therefore, the best textural characteristics were assigned to suspension 3. This result is in accordance with the results of performed stability tests. The results of our study offer insight into potential improvements of the current magistral formulation Suspensio album 7.5%.