Gels and Magmas

What are Gels?

Semisolid systems consisting of dispersions made up of either
small inorganic particles or large organic molecules enclosing
and interpenetrated by a liquid.
Why is it semisolid?
o The increased viscosity caused by the interlacing and
consequential internal friction is responsible for the
semisolid state.
Semi-rigid systems in which the movement of the dispersing
medium is restricted by an interlacing three-dimensional
network of particles or solvated macromolecules of the
dispersed phase.

Sometimes can be clear, Frequently can be turbid (because

the ingredients may not be completely molecularly
dispersed)

The concentration of the gelling agents is mostly <10%,

usually in 0.5% to 2.0% range, with some exceptions. (Gelling
agents render the gel jelly-like)

What are Single-Phase Gels?

Gels in which the macromolecules are distributed so that no
apparent boundaries exist between them and the liquids
What are Magmas or Milk?
When the gel mass consists of floccules (clump of material) of
small, distinct particles, the gel is classified as a two-phase
system
Frequently called as Magmas or Milk
Gels and magmas are considered colloidal dispersions because they
contain particles of colloidal dimension.
What are Colloidal Dispersions?
Many of the various types of colloidal dispersions have been
given appropriate names.
o Example: Sol
o Dispersion of a solid substance in a liquid, solid, or
gaseous medium (Frequently, solid-liquid dispersion
system
o Hydrosol, alcosol, aerosol (Prefix refers to dispersing
medium

No precise point of at which the size of a particle in a

dispersion can be considered to be colloidal BUT there is an
accepted size range
Substance is said to be colloidal when its particles are
between 1 nm and 0.5 m

What are the differences of Colloidal Dispersions and True

Solutions?
Colloidal Dispersions
BIGGER particle size
Contain opaque materials that
scatter light
Appear turbid*

True Solutions
Smaller particle size
Do not scatter light
Appear clear

*Sometimes even opaque depends on the concentration of the

disperse phase. Can also be due to the particle size of the dispersed
phase not being uniform and contain particles within and outside of
the colloidal range.
Other Characteristics of Colloidal Dispersions:
The attraction or lack of attraction between the disperse
phase and the dispersion medium affects both ease of
preparation and the character of the dispersion.
Terminology to determine various degrees of attraction
(Keyterms):
o LYOPHILIC (solvent loving)

Dispersion phase interacts appreciably

with the dispersion medium
o LYOPHOBIC (solvent hating)
Degree of attraction is small

Because of the good relationship of the LYPOHILIC, it is

easier to prepare and has greater stability

Terms are used in reference to DISPERSION MEDIUM

(some substances can be lyophilic to a certain medium
and lyophobic to others)
Example: STARCH

Lyophilic to water
Lyophobic to alcohol

Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic: attraction or lack of

attraction of the substance specifically to WATER

Types of Colloids
a. Lyophilic Colloids
Large organic molecules
Capable of being solvated or associated with the
molecules of the dispersing phase
When added, disperses readily
More substance being added to the dispersion
system, viscosity rises
As viscosity rises and the concentration of molecules
is sufficiently high, the liquid sol becomes a semisolid
or semisolid dispersion called GEL
Gels owe their rigidity to an intertwining network of
the disperse phase that entraps and holds the
dispersion medium
What causes Gels to liquidate?
o Change of temperature
o SOME GELS - THIXOTROPY (Returns to normal
when left undisturbed)
b. Lyophobic Colloids
Generally composed of inorganic materials
Little interaction between dispersion phase and
dispersion medium
Does not spontaneously disperse; special
individualized procedures are required
Addition to the dispersion medium DOES NOT greatly
affect viscosity
c. Association or Amphiphilic Colloids
Formed by grouping or association of molecules that
exhibit both lyophilic and lyophobic properties
Forms dispersions in aqueous and nonaqueous media
Depending on their individual character and the
nature of the dispersion medium, they may or may
not become greatly solvated.
Generally increase the viscosity of the dispersion
medium with an increase in concentration.
Other Types of Colloids:

d. Natural Colloids
Self-dispersing upon addition to the dispersing
medium
Example: Acacia
e. Artificial Colloids
Materials that require special means for prompt
dispersion
May require pulverization of coarse particles to
colloidal size by a colloid mill, a micropulverizer, or
by chemical reaction under highly controlled
conditions.

The various preparations composed of colloidal dispersions

are prepared not according to any general method but
according to the means best suited to the individual
preparation
Most of the time, colloidal sols and gels used in pharmacy are
aqueous preparations

Terminology Related to GELS

1. IMBIBITION
Taking up of a certain amount of liquid without a
measurable increase in volume
2. SWELLING
Taking up of a liquid by a gel with an increase in volume.
Only liquids that solvate a gel can cause swelling.
During gel formation, the macromolecules become
stretched, and the elastic forces increase as swelling
proceeds
Example: Swelling of protein gels is influenced by pH and
the presence of electrolytes
3. SYNERESIS (squeezed out like)
Occurs when the interaction between particles of the
dispersed phase becomes SO GREAT
On standing, the dispersing medium is squeezed out in
droplets and the gel shrinks
Syneresis is a form of instability in aqueous and
nonaqueous gels
Separation of a solvent phase is thought to occur because
of the elastic contraction of the polymeric molecules
4. THIXOTROPY

Reversible gelsol formation with no change in volume or

temperature, a type of non- Newtonian flow
Phenomenon of the gels that becomes temporarily fluid
when shaken or stirred. (Generally, the property of
becoming less viscous when subjected to an applied stress)

5. XEROGEL
Formed when the liquid is removed from a gel and only the
framework remains
Examples: Gelatin sheets, tragacanth ribbons, and acacia
tears.

Classification and Types of Gels

I.

First Classification
A. Inorganic
Usually two-phase system
Examples are: Aluminum hydroxide gel, bentonite
magma
B. Organic
Mostly single-phase systems
Examples: Gelling agents (like carbomer and tragacanth)
and those that contain an organic liquid, such as
Plastibase

II. Second Classification

A. Hydrogels

Include ingredients that are dispersible as colloidals or

soluble in water
Divided into three subcategories
Examples of hydrogels (in general) are hydrophilic
colloids
a) Organic Hydrogels
o Examples: Pectin paste, tragacanth jelly
b) Natural and synthetic gums
o Examples: Methylcellulose, Sodium CMC
(Carboxymethyl cellulose) , Pluronic

Methylcellulose, hydroxy ethyl cellulose, and

sodium CMC are among the commercial
cellulose products used in ointments.

c) Inorganic hydrogels
o Bentonite gel (10%-25%), Veegum and silica
B. Organogels
Divided into six subcategories
a) Hydrocarbon type
o Examples: Petrolatum, mineral
oil/polyethylene gel (Plastibase)
o Plastibase/ Jelene - a combination of mineral
oils and heavy hydrocarbon waxes with a
molecular weight of about 1,300
o Petrolatum consists of a liquid component
together with a protosubstance and a
crystalline waxy fraction
b) Animal, vegetable fats
o Examples: Lard, Cocoa butter
c) Soap base greases
o Examples: Aluminum stearate with heavy
mineral oil gel
d) Hydrophilic organogels
o Also called polar organogel
o Soluble to about 75% in water and
completely washable
o Gels look and feel like petrolatum
o Nonionic and stable
o Example: Carbowax bases (PEG ointment)
o Carbowax - polyethylene glycols of high
molecular weight
e) Polar
f) Nonionic

What are Jellies?

Class of gels in which the structural
coherent matrix contains a high proportion
of liquid (usually water)
Formed by adding a thickening agent (such
as tragacanth or carboxymethyl cellulose) to
an aqueous solution of a drug substance
Resultant product is usually clear and
uniformly semisolid
Subject to bacterial contamination and
growth, so most are preserved with
antimicrobials
Stored with tight closure because water may
evaporate, drying out the product.

Preparation of Magmas and Gels

1. Freshly precipitating the disperse phase
To achieve a fine degree of subdivision of the particles
and a gelatinous character

The desired gelatinous precipitate results when solutions of

inorganic agents react to form an insoluble chemical having
a high attraction for water.

2. Directly hydrating the inorganic chemical

Produces the disperse phase of the dispersion.

Aside from water, gelling agents can be added to enhance

gel formation

On long standing, a supernatant layer of the dispersion

medium develops, but the uniformity of the preparation is
easily reestablished by moderate shaking
Shake well before use

Examples of Gelling Agents

Acacia
CMC Sodium

Alginic Acid
Povidone

Bentonite
Maltodextri
n

Carbomer
Ethylcellulos
e

Hydroxypropyl
cellulose

Sodium
alginate

Starch

Hydroxyprop
yl methyl
cellulose
Polyvinyl
alcohol (PVA)

Tragacanth

Magnesium
aluminum
silicate
Cetostearyl
alcohol

Xantham
gum

Colloidal
silicon
dioxide
Propylene
glycol
alginate
Methylcellulo
se

Common gelling agents:

Alginic acid
Bentonite
Carbomer (Carbopol)
Carbomer 934
CMC
CMC Sodium
Colloidal silicon dioxide
Gelatin
Magnesium aluminum silicate (Veegum)
Methylcellulose
Plastibase or Jelene
Poloxamer or Pluronic
PVA
Povidone
Sodium alginate
Tragacanth gum

Gel Formulation Considerations

Powdered polymers, when added to water, may form
temporary gels that slow dissolution
As a hot colloidal dispersion of gelatin cools, the gelatin
macromolecules lose kinetic energy.
Inorganic salts will compete with the water in a gel and
cause gelation at lower concentrations.
Aqueous polymer solutions are stored for approximately
48 hours after dissolution to promote full hydration and
maximum viscosity and clarity.
Examples of Magmas and Gels
1. Bentonite Magma, NF suspending agent
2. Sodium Fluoride dental care prophylactic.
3. Phosphoric Acid Gel, USP dental care prophylactic.
(prevent disease)
4. Fluocinonide Gel, USP anti-inflammatory corticosteroid

5. Tretinoin Gel, USP causes peeling; effective treatment for

acne
6. Erythromycin and Benzoyl peroxide Topical Gel
(Benzamycin Topical Gel, Dermik Laboratories) control
and treatment of acne
7. Clindamycin Topical Gel (Cleocin T Topical Gel, Pfizer)
control and treatment of acne
8. Clindamycin and Benzoyl peroxide Topical gel
(BenzaClin, Dermik) control and treatment of acne
9. Hydroquinone gel (Solaquin Forte Gel, ICN) a bleach for
hyper- pigmented skin
10.
Salicylic Acid Gel (Compound W Gel, Medtech) a
keratolytic
11.
Desoximetasone gel (Topicort Gel, Taro) anti
-inflammatory and antipruritic
12.
Augmented Betamethasone Dipropionate Topical
gel (Diprolene, Schering-Plough) anti -inflammatory and
antipruritic
13.
Aluminum Phosphate Gel, USP antacid
14.
Aluminum Hydroxide Gel, USP antacid
15.
Dihydroxyaluminum Aminoacetate Magma, USP
antacid
16.
Milk of Magnesia antacid
17.
Starch Glycerite topical vehicle and protectant
18.
Lubricating Jelly Formula assist in medical
procedures, aid in insertion devices and drugs, and as a
vehicle
19.
Clear Aqueous Gel with Dimethicone vehicles for
drug products
20.
Poloxamer Gel Base vehicle for extemporaneous
products