Mortar & Pestle — used in Wet Gum Method for emulsion preparation
Welcome back to AnkitStudyPoint! If you are a D.Pharmacy student preparing for your Pharmaceutics-II practical exam, this post is going to save a lot of your time. Today we are covering the preparation of Olive Oil Emulsion — a very important practical in your lab syllabus. I have explained everything in a simple way, just the way your examiner expects it.
Let's get started! 🔬
📌 Object
To prepare and submit Olive Oil Emulsion.
📚 Reference
- Gupta A.K. — Pharmaceutics-II Practical Note Book, Second Edition Reprint 2005, CBS Publishers & Distributors, New Delhi. Page No. 101.
🧪 Required Materials
Chemicals
- Olive Oil
- Water
- Gum Acacia
Glassware & Equipment
- Weighing Balance
- Pestle & Mortar
- Spatula
- Measuring Cylinder
- Glass Bottle
💊 Formula (Prescription)
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Olive Oil | 30 ml |
| Water | 120 ml (q.s.) |
| Gum Acacia | 7 gm |
| Final Volume (Mixture) | 60 ml |
Signa: Cochleare medium bis in die sumendum
(Meaning: Take one tablespoon twice daily)
Type: O/W (Oil in Water) Emulsion — for Internal Use
📖 Theory
Olive oil is a fixed oil and like most oils, it does not mix with water naturally. To make a stable mixture, we need a third substance — an emulsifying agent — that holds the oil and water together. The result is what we call an Emulsion.
In this practical, we are preparing an O/W (Oil-in-Water) type emulsion, meaning tiny oil droplets are dispersed in water. This type is used for internal medicines (taken orally).
We use Gum Acacia as the emulsifying agent because:
- It forms a strong, stable coating around oil droplets.
- It keeps the emulsion stable for a long period of time.
- It is safe and suitable for internal consumption.
🔢 Primary Emulsion Ratio (Very Important for Exam!)
| Oil | Water | Gum |
|---|---|---|
| 4 parts | 2 parts | 1 part |
| 8 ml | 4 ml | 2 gm |
📝 Remember this ratio: Oil : Water : Gum = 4 : 2 : 1
This is fixed for all fixed oil emulsions using the Wet Gum Method.
🔬 Procedure — Wet Gum Method
- Clean and dry the mortar: Before starting, make sure the mortar and pestle are thoroughly clean and completely dry.
- Weigh Gum Acacia: Weigh out 2 gm of Gum Acacia and transfer it to the mortar.
- Prepare mucilage: Measure 4 ml of water and add it to the gum. Triturate (grind and mix) well to form a smooth, thick mucilage.
- Add Olive Oil slowly: Measure 8 ml of Olive Oil and add it to the mucilage in small portions at a time. After each addition, triturate briskly and continuously — never stop in between!
- Form the Primary Emulsion: Keep trituration going until you hear a clicking sound and the mixture turns white or creamy white. This is your Primary Emulsion. ✅
- Dilute gradually: Add the remaining water (about 10 ml more) slowly, in small amounts, with constant stirring to form a smooth, uniform emulsion.
- Make up final volume: Transfer the emulsion to a measuring cylinder and add enough water to make the total volume up to 60 ml. Stir well.
- Transfer and finish: Pour into a clean glass bottle, cork it, and wipe the bottle clean to remove fingerprints.
- Label the bottle: Apply the main label and attach the secondary label — "Shake Well Before Use" 🏷️
⚠️ Key Point: The clicking sound in the mortar tells you that emulsification has occurred successfully. If you don't hear it, keep triturating — don't add more water yet!
💡 Uses of Olive Oil Emulsion
- Given as a nitrogen-free diet during the treatment of renal (kidney) failure — as it provides energy without putting load on kidneys.
- Acts as a nutrient — provides essential fatty acids to the body.
- Acts as a demulcent — soothes and protects mucous membranes.
- Acts as a mild laxative — helps in relieving mild constipation.
⚠️ Precautions
- Always add oil in small portions during emulsification — adding too much at once will cause the emulsion to break.
- Trituration must be continuous and brisk throughout — stopping in between can destroy the emulsion formation.
- The mortar must be dry before starting (especially in Dry Gum Method).
- Make sure the 4:2:1 ratio is strictly followed for the primary emulsion.
- Emulsions separate on standing — always shake well before use.
✅ Result
Olive Oil Emulsion has been successfully prepared and submitted. The prepared emulsion is white, homogeneous, and stable. It is an O/W type emulsion suitable for internal use.
🎓 Possible Viva Questions
- What is an emulsion? What are its types?
- Why is Olive oil emulsion used in renal failure patients?
- What is the standard ratio for primary emulsion of fixed oils?
- What does "Cochleare medium bis in die sumendum" mean?
- What is the difference between Wet Gum and Dry Gum method?
- Why does a clicking sound occur during emulsification?
- What are the uses of Gum Acacia as an emulsifying agent?
- What is a demulcent? Give one example.
⚡ Quick Revision Table
| Type | O/W Emulsion (Internal Use) |
| Oil Used | Olive Oil (Fixed Oil) |
| Emulsifying Agent | Gum Acacia |
| Method | Wet Gum Method |
| Primary Emulsion Ratio | Oil : Water : Gum = 4 : 2 : 1 |
| Final Volume | 60 ml |
| Signa | One tablespoon twice daily |
| Uses | Renal failure diet, Nutrient, Demulcent, Mild Laxative |
| Auxiliary Label | Shake Well Before Use |
📚 Also Read on AnkitStudyPoint
Looking for more D.Pharmacy practical notes and study material? Check out our other posts on AnkitStudyPoint — your one-stop destination for pharmacy exam preparation, practical notes, and much more!
- 📄 D.Pharmacy Pharmaceutics Practical Notes — AnkitStudyPoint
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