LONG-TERM STABILITY STUDIES OF FLUOROCARBON OXYGEN-TRANSPORT EMULSIONS

We have studied the stability of a range of oxygen transport emulsions made from perfluorodecalin, stabilised by both a polymeric stabiliser (Pluronic F68) and an electrostatic stabiliser (lecithin) at a range of temperatures. The results demonstrate that the Pluronic-stabilised emulsions are significantly more stable than those stabilised by lecithin. The lecithin-stabilised emulsions showed significant coalescence over a storage period of 120 days. The effects of the stabilising additives soya oil and perfluoroperhy-drofluoranthene were also examined; both were found to improve the long-term stability of the Pluronic-stabilised emulsions. Soya oil was essential to stabilise the emulsions containing Pluronic F-68 at the elevated temperatures required for autoclave sterilisation, while perfluoroperhydrofluoranthene did not itself stabilize the emulsions during autoclaving. © 1990.