Viscoelastic evaluation of topical creams containing microcrystalline cellulose/sodium carboxymethyl cellulose as stabilizer
The purpose of this study was to examine the viscoelastic properties of topical creams containing various concentrations of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (Avicel® CL-611) as a stabilizer. Avicel CL-611 was used at 4 different levels (1%, 2%, 4%, and 6% dispersion) to prepare topical creams, and hydrocortisone acetate was used as a model drug. The viscoelastic properties such as loss modulus (G), storage modulus (G), and loss tangent (tan δ) of these creams were measured using a TA Instruments AR 1000 Rheometer and compared to a commercially available formulation. Continuous flow test to determine the yield stress and thixotropic behavior, and dynamic mechanical tests for determining the linear viscosity time sweep data, were performed. Drug release from the various formulations was studied using an Enhancer TM Cell assembly. Formulations containing 1% and 2% Avicel CL-611 had relative viscosity, yield stress, and thixotropic values that were similar to those of the commercial formulation. The elastic modulus (G) of the 1% and 2% formulation was relatively high and did not cross the loss modulus (G), indicating that the gels were strong. In the commercial formulation,G increased after preshearing and broke down after 600 seconds. The strain sweep tests showed that for all formulations containing Avicel CL-611, theG was aboveG with a good distance between them. The gel strength and the predominance ofG can be ranked 6%>4%>2%. The strain profiles for the 1% and 2% formulations were similar to those of the commercial formulation. The δ values for the 1% and 2% formulations were similar, and the formulations containing 4% Avicel CL-611 had lower δ values, indicating greater elasticity. Drug release from the commercial preparation was fastest compared to the formulations prepared using Avicel CL-611, a correlation with the viscoelastic properties. It was found that viscoelastic data, especially the strain sweep profiles of products containing Avicel CL-611 1% and 2%, correlated with the commercial formulation. Rheological tests that measure the viscosity, yield stress, thixotropic behavior, other oscillatory parameters such asG andG are necessary tools in predicting performance of semisolids.
Lipophilic semisolid emulsion systems: viscoelastic behaviour and prediction of physical stability by neural network modelling
Abstract The influence of different ratios of individual components (silicone surfactant, hydrophilic and lipophilic phase) on the viscoelastic behaviour of semisolid lipophilic emulsion systems was studied. The creams were prepared according to a preliminary experimental design (mixture design). The content of all three phases was varied: surfactant (1–5%), purified water (from 40 to 90%) and white petrolatum (5–59%). Oscillatory rheometry was used as the most appropriate experimental method for the evaluation of the emulsions. The rheological properties were influenced by the ratio of the components. For highly concentrated systems the predominant elastic response in the whole frequency range was measured. The cross-over point is characteristic for the concentrated systems. For the low concentrated systems, viscous behaviour is predominant. Rheometry has also been employed to follow and evaluate physical stability as one of the critical factors of emulsion systems. The dynamic rheological parameter, tan  δ , has been chosen as the basis for developing mathematical models (linear, polynomial, neural) to forecast stability related to the content of the separate components in emulsion systems. After testing the linear models their non agreement to statistical criteria for a good model F reg , F lof , CC, DC, and RMS was found. The two-level neural network has been proven to be a statistically acceptable model, as were the polynomials of the second order. The two-level neural network model was also evaluated and the results have shown a great degree of reliability. The prediction of tan  δ using a neural network model was found to be of great interest for the contemporary pharmaceutical formulation design because a lot of additional testing can be omitted.
Increasing pulp yield in kraft cooking of softwoods by high initial effective alkali concentration (HIEAC) during impregnation leading to decreasing secondary peeling of cellulose
Abstract Pulp yield can be improved by a more homogeneous delignification of the chips, achieved by improved impregnation prior to the cooking stage. Complete and efficient impregnation is obtained by increasing the diffusion rate by means of an impregnation liquor with a high initial effective alkali concentration (HIEAC). In the present study, the effect of HIEAC in the impregnation was evaluated and compared to a reference impregnation procedure and a prolonged impregnation. After the various impregnation scenarios, the alkali concentration was always adjusted to the same level in the beginning of the cooking stage. Impregnation with a HIEAC resulted in yield improvements by 1–1.5% units, due to a higher cellulose yield and possibly also to higher yield of glucomannan. The HIEAC with an even alkali distribution within the chips prior to the cooking stage resulted in a more uniform delignification carbohydrate degradation. Yield increase obtained by uniform delignification is due to both decreased shives content as well as less secondary peeling.