Performance of the Biocompatible Surfactant Tween 80, for the Formation of Microemulsions Suitable for New Pharmaceutical Processing

Abstract

The aim of this work was to investigate the phase behaviour and the structure of the n-hexane/water emulsions based on a nonionic, nontoxic and biocompatible surfactant, Tween 80. This system is of interest for new pharmaceutical techniques based on supercritical fluids to form nano- and encapsulated particles. However, it showed a lack of stability denoted by large areas of macroemulsion. For this reason, the effect of additives (alcohols and brine) and external variables (temperature) were explored. The replacement of water by brine caused negligible impact due to the nonionic character of Tween 80. On the contrary, the presence of an alcohol (ethanol or 1-butanol) enhanced the solubility of the surfactant in the oil phase and decreased the mixture viscosity, resulting in improved surface activity. Similar results were obtained by raising the temperature until the cloud point was reached (60°C). With these modifications, microemulsions at relatively low concentrations of surfactant (around 30%) and within a broad interval of compositions could be obtained, widening their possible use in pharmaceuticals manufacturing (such as controlled drug delivery, enzymatic reactions, or excipient processing). The understanding of the surfactant performance could be further used to substitute the n-hexane by a greener solvent, such as supercritical CO2.

Remediation of Hg-contaminated marine sediments by simultaneous application of enhancing agents and microwave heating (MWH)

“…However, these require the ionic nature of the surfactant. Another reason for the low Hg removals observed could be the temperature dependent behaviour of the Tween ® 80, which tends to loose its hydrophilic character at high temperatures [37]. In both cases (MGDA or Tween ® 80), results again revealed residual Hg levels higher than the regulatory limit.…”

“…On the other hand, the methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA) is a relatively novel chelate, much more biodegradable than others jointly with the essential advantage of having a stable thermal behaviour under a wide range of temperatures [35]. Likewise, surfactants with low toxicity and favourable biodegradability, such as Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate, also known as Tween ® 80 [36,37], have been extensively used in organic and inorganic contaminant removal treatments [11,38,39].…”

Optimization of Formulation Parameters and Characterization of Simvastatin Loaded Chitosan Nanoparticles.

“…In addition, the Tween 80 molecules acting as amphiphilic molecules deposited at the particle surface resulting in increment of particle size; moreover, they could shield surface charge of the nanoformulation led to decrease in zeta potential. Three different percentages (0.01%, 0.02%, and 0.03% w/v) of Tween 80 in the external aqueous phase were selected according to the literature studies (Mitra et al, 2003,Prieto et al, 2013. It is known that the concentration of Tween in the external aqueous phase is an important key factor for the nanoparticles size.…”

Development, characterization and cytotoxicity evaluation of Gingko biloba extract (EGB761) loaded microemulsion for intra-nasal application

“…Despite these efforts, there exist limited efficient treatments for . Several new treatment strategies which are based on medicinal plants have been the subject of current focus due to their less or no side-effects (Rao, 2012). Ginkgo biloba (Family: Ginkgoacea) is one such therapeutically important plant which is well documented for its effects on improvement of memory, increased blood circulation, inhibitor of platelet-activating factor and also as a neuroprotective agent (DeFeudis and Drieu, 2000).…”