PREPARATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF EMULSIFIABLE GLASSES - OIL-IN-WATER AND WATER-IN-OIL-IN-WATER EMULSIONS

Oil-in-water or water-in-oil-in-water emulsion systems with unique physical properties may be prepared from solids. Novel aqueous emulsion systems may be prepared by preparing an oil containing glass via a solvent deposition process. The resultant glass is composed of sucrose and oil and in the case of the multiple emulsion system a low HLB surfactant. Contrary to conventional emulsion theory, the addition of water to the glass results in the self-emulsification of the oil phase with the formation of either an o/w or a w/o/w emulsion. X-ray diffraction studies indicate that the process results in a glass while infrared analysis indicates that the processing of the oil and sucrose does not form new chemical entities. Particle size analysis of the aqueous emulsions indicates that the particle size of the dispersed phase is reproducible and ranges from 0.1 to 35 μm. From these studies it is evident that o/w or w/o/w emulsions may be prepared using techniques new to the field of emulsions. These emulsions are unique in that they may be stored as solids, or more correctly, as glasses. © 1992.