Preparation of Flaxseed Oil Emulsions Pranshu Shrivastava1 and Antoine Al-Achi1 1Campbell University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences, Buies Creek, NC -27506 OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to prepare a stable formulation of flaxseed oil emulsion. Flaxseed oil is a laxative and has anti-inflammatory properties. This oil is very unstable at room temperature and when exposed to light. Preparing this oil in the form of emulsion may partially protect the oil from degradation. Information regarding its hydrophile-lipophile balance (HLB) value has not been previously reported to our knowledge. OBSERVATIONS & CALCULATIONS Table 1: HLB Value Calculation of Flaxseed Oil % Weight of Hydrophilic portion = {45/ (233.7944+45)} X 100 = 16.14 HLB Value = Weight % Hydrophile/5 = 16.14/5 = 3.228 Table 2: Emulsion Formula (Method 4:2:1) Photos :A series of Flaxseed Oil Emulsion Prepared (SPAN 65 & SMP) Table 3: Rate of Creaming Values for Flaxseed Oil emulsion (SPAN 65) RESULTS The results of this study show that for most emulsions prepared the CV reached its ultimate value at 1 hour. Increasing concentrations of emulsifying agents resulted in a better emulsion. The CV value [mean (s.d.)] at 72 hours using S65 was 0.36 (0.069), 0.64 (0.13), 0.73 (0.18), 0.84 (0.13), 0.89 (0.10), 0.91 (0.018), 0.95 (0.037) for 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5%, respectively. For SMP, the CV value at 72 hours was 0.38 (0.019), 0.44 (0.010), 0.54 (0.048), 0.52 (0.019), 0.63 (0.043), 0.78 (0.17), 0.78 (0.074) for 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5%, respectively. Accordingly, S65 appears to be a superior emulsifying agent than SMP. The HLB value estimated using the standardized method gave a value of 3.23 with respect to the hydrophilic portion of the components in the oil. Acid Lipophilic Part Weight Hydrophilic Part Weight Molecular Weight Content (%) Weight % Palmitic Acid 211.42 45 256.42 6.0 (211.42*6)/100 = 12.685 Stearic Acid 239.48 284.48 2.5 (239.48*2.5)/100 = 5.987 Arachidic Acid 259.47 304.47 0.5 (259.47*0.5)/100 = 1.297 Palmitoleic Acid 209.48 254.408 0.25 (209.48*0.25)/100 = 0.523 Oleic Acid 237.46 282.46 19.0 (237.46*19)/100 = 45.1174 Eicosenoic Acid 265.51 310.51 0.3 (265.51*0.3)/100 = 0.79653 Linoleic Acid 235.45 280.45 24.1 (235.45*24.1)/100 = 56.74345 Alpha-Linoleic Acid 233.43 278.43 47.4 (233.43*47.4)/100 = 110.645 Total = 233.7944 . MATERIALS The following materials were used: Analytical Reagents/Chemicals used-Flax Oil: Organic, pure and unfiltered, freshly cold pressed, Manufacturer: Barlean’s Ferndale, WA 98248, SPAN 65: Lot # BCBH3447V, CAS # 26658-19-5, Batch # 85547-250G, Manufacturer: Sigma-Aldrich, Co. St. Louis, MO, 63103 USA, Sorbitan Monopalmitate: Lot # MKBF4940V, CAS # 26266-57-5, Batch # 388290-250G, Manufacturer: Sigma-Aldrich, Co. St. Louis, MO, 63103 USA, Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT): Batch # W218405-1KG-K, Lot # MKBQ2103V, CAS # 128-37-0, Manufacturer: Sigma-Aldrich, Co. St. Louis, MO, 63103 USA, USP Water. Glassware/Apparatus used: Porcelain Pestle and Mortar, Graduated Cylinders, 50 mL, EXAX USA, TD 20ºC, Total = 42,Graduated Cylinder, 10 mL. S. No. Ingredient Quantity 1 Flaxseed Oil 10 mL 2 SPAN 65 / Sorbitan Monopalmitate 0.5 % , 1%, 1.5%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5% 3 Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) 1.77 mg 4 USP Water 20 mL CONCLUSION Span 65 was a better emulsifying agent than Sorbitan Monopalmitate for the emulsions prepared with flaxseed oil. Further work is needed to study the stability of flaxseed oil in these emulsions. METHODS Flaxseed oil emulsions were prepared using varying concentrations of emulsifying agents (0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, 2%, 3%, 4%, and 5%), namely Span 65 (S65) and Sorbitan Monopalmitate (SMP). Creaming volume (CV) was recorded at 0, 1, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours in triplicates. Samples were stored in the dark at room temperature. The HLB value of flaxseed oil was determined from the chemical composition of the oil using a standardized method. . . Emulsion # % of SPAN 65 Time of Preparation After 1 Hour (V) After 1 Hour (Vo) After 1 Hour (Cv) 1 0.50% 7:00PM 19 30 0.633333333 2 1% 7:21PM 18 0.6 3 1.50% 7:40PM 25 31 0.806451613 4 2% 8:08PM 24 0.8 5 3% 8:35PM 0.774193548 6 4% 8:54PM 26 0.838709677 7 5% 9:14PM 20 0.64516129 REFERENCES Renata V. Tonon, Carlos R.F. Grosso, Míriam D. Hubinger, Influence of emulsion composition and inlet air temperature on the microencapsulation of flaxseed oil by spray drying, Volume 44, Issue 1, January 2011, Pages 282-289. http://www.mountainhighorganics.com/pdfs/MH-FlaxEmulsion(lr).pdf. www.webmd.com/flaxseed