Colloids

Errors and Ommissions are

expected

It is heterogenous solution in which a

particulate matter known as dispersed phase
(dispersoid) is distributed throughout the
continuous or dispersion medium.
Or
It is the mixture with properties in between those
of a solution and fine suspension.
Word colloid comes from Greek word kolla
which means glue.
Dispersed system is classified on the basis of the
particle size of the dispersed material.
Errors and Ommissions are
expected

Dispersion Systems
Dispersed
System

Ionic
system or
Molecular
Dispersion

Colloidal
Dispersion

Errors and Ommissions are

expected

Coarse
Dispersion

1. Ionic or Molecular
Dispersion
the size of dispersed phase or
dispersoid is <1nm.
Dispersoid is visible in ultra-microscope.
may pass through ultra-filters.
can rapidly diffuse.
Examples:
Solution of NaCl in water.
Solution of glucose in water.
Errors and Ommissions are
expected

2. Colloidal
Dispersion
the size of dispersed phase is 1nm-1000nm.
dispersed phase may pass through ordinary
filter paper but cant pass through ultrafilters (animal membranes or permeable
membranes).
Examples:
Single large molecule of protein.
Group of small molecules i.e. colloidal
solution of gold.
Errors and Ommissions are
expected

3. Coarse Dispersion
dispersoid size is greater than 1000nm.
cant pass through ordinary filter paper.
These particles cant diffuse.
Examples:
Particles of bismith carbonate in aqueous
suspension.
Grains of sand.
Most pharmaceutical emulsions and
suspensions.
Errors and Ommissions are
expected

Comparison of Properties of Solution, Colloids and

Suspensions
Properties

Solution

Colloid

Suspension

Particle size

< 1nm

1 100 nm

> 100nm

Appearance

Clear

Cloudy

Cloudy

Homogeneity

Homogenous

Homogenous or
Heterogenous

Heterogenous

Transparency

Often transparent Often translucent Often opaque but

but often colored and opaque but
can be
can be
translucent
transparent

Separation

Does not
separate
Pass through
filter paper

Filterability

Does not
separate
Pass through
filter paper

Errors and Ommissions are

expected

Separates or
settles
Particles dont
pass through
filter paper
7

Types of Colloids
Types of Colloids
Dispersed
Particles
Gas

Dispersion
Medium
Liquid

Gas

Solid

Liquid

Gas

Liquid

Liquid

Liquid

Solid

Solid
Solid

Gas
Liquid

Solid

Solid

Name

Examples

Foam

Beaten egg white,

Shaving Cream,
whipped cream, ice
cream soda
Solid foam
Rubber foam,
Marshmallow
Liquid
Clouds, fog, mist, hair
aerosol
spray, deodorant
spray
Emulsion
Mil, mayonnaise,
blood
Gel
Cheese, butter,
margarine
Solid aerosol Smoke, dust in air
Solution
Paint, Starch mixture,
hot chocolate, gelatin
Errors and Ommissions are
Solid
Colored glass, gem
expected

Colloidal Dispersion
Colloids are substances consisting of a continuous
medium and particles of a discontinuous medium having
size of 1-1000nm.
Milk, ink, sulphur, starch, gum and blood are examples of
colloids.
If the dispersed phase is solid and the dispersion medium
is liquid then it is called as colloidal suspension
if both of the medium are liquid then it is called as
colloidal emulsion.
colloidal dispersion of a substance is an intermediate
stage between true homogenous solution and the coarse
suspension.
Errors and Ommissions are
expected

Size and Shape

Properties and behaviour of
colloids depends chiefly
upon the size, shape and
charge of the dispersed
particles.
The color of the colloidal
dispersion depends upon
the size of the particles.
Because of the size,
colloidal particles can be
separated by
ultrafilteration, Buchner
channel and Electrodialysis.
Errors and Ommissions are
expected

10

C l a s s i fi c a t i o n
1 . Ly o p h i l i c C o l l o i d s :
Systems in which colloidal particles interact with
dispersion medium.
Lyophilic means liking a solvent.
If the solution is in water medium, these are called
hydrophilic; acacia, gelatin, albumin, and insulin.
if continuous medium is lipid, these are called
lipophilic; rubber and polystyrene.
Lyophilic colloids are reversible colloids.
Dispersions are stable in the presence of
electrolytes.
Errors and Ommissions are
expected

11

C l a s s i fi c a t i o n
2. Lyophobic Colloids:
Lyophobic means disliking or fearing a solvent.
no interaction between dispersed particles and
the dispersion medium.
If water is the continuous medium these are
called as hydrophobic
if the lipid is the continuous medium then it is
called as lipophobic.
These are irreversible colloids.
These are unstable in the presence of any
electrolyte.
Errors and Ommissions are
expected

12

C l a s s i fi c a t i o n
3. Amphiphilic or Association Colloids:
dispersed phase consists of aggregates (micelles) of small
organic molecules of ions whose size individually is below
the colloidal range are termed as association colloids.
Amphiphiles are also called as surface active agents.
When these are present in low conc. these form true
solution due to sub-colloidal size.
when conc. is increased, aggregation occurs over the
narrow range of conc.
The conc. at which the micelles formation takes place is
called as critical micelle conc. CMC.
The no. of monomers that aggregate to form a micelle is
known as aggregation number.
Errors and Ommissions are
expected

13

C l a s s i fi c a t i o n
Formation of
micelles at CMC is
called
micellization.
Spherical micelles
exist at conc. close
to CMC.
At high conc.
laminar micelles
exist in equilibrium
with spherical Errors and Ommissions are
expected
micelles.

14

Classification of
Amphiphiles
Type

Compound

Amphiphile

Gegenio
n

Anion

Sodium lauryl sulfate

CH3(CH2)11OSO3-

Na+

Cation

Cetyl trimethyl
ammonium bromide

CH3(CH2)15N+(CH3)3

Br-

Nonionic

Polyoxyethylene lauryl CH3(CH2)10CH2O(CH2OCH2)2

ether
3H

Ampho Dimethyldodecyl
lytic
ammonium propane
sulfonate

CH3(CH2)11N+
(CH3)2(CH2)3OSO3-

Errors and Ommissions are

expected

15

Comparison of Properties of Different

Classes of Colloidal Dispersions
Properties

Lyophilic
Colloid

Lyophobic
Colloid

Amphiphilic
Colloid

Dispersed
Phase

Consist of large
organic
molecules
having size
within colloidal
range.

Consist of
mainly
inorganic
particles such
as gold or
silver.

Consist of
aggregate
(micelle) of
small organic
molecules of
ions whose size
individually is
below the
colloidal range.

Dispersability

Disperse easily
on stirring to
form colloidal
solution.

Dont disperse
easily and for
preparation
special methods
are used.

Aggregates are
spontaneously
formed from
solution when
conc. of
Amphiphiles
exceeds CMC. 16

Errors and Ommissions are

expected

Comparison of Properties of Different

Classes of Colloidal Dispersions
Properties

Lyophilic
Colloid

Lyophobic
Colloid

Solvation

solvated
readily.

Little, (if any),

interaction
occurs between
particles and
dispersion
medium.

Electric
Charge
Stability

Amphiphilic
Colloid

Hydrophilic or
lipophilic
portion of
molecule is
solvated,
depending
whether the
dispersion
medium is
aqueous of nonaqueous.
Electrical charge Electrical charge Electrical charge
is not essential is essential for
is not essential
for stability
stability as
for stability
particles are not
Errors and Ommissions
are
solvated.
17
expected

Comparison of Properties of Different

Classes of Colloidal Dispersions
Properties
FaradyTyndal
Effect
Viscosity

Stability
towards
electrolyte

Lyophilic
Lyophobic
Colloid
Colloid
Absent or very
strong
weak.
Viscosity of
Viscosity of
dispersion
dispersion
medium is
medium is not
increased by the increased by the
presence of
presence of
dispersed
lyophobic
phase. At
colloidal
sufficiently high particles.
conc. solution
may remain as a
gel.
Stable in the
not stable in the
presence of
presence of
electrolyte.
even small
Errors and Ommissions
are
expected
conc. of

Amphiphilic
Colloid
Almost absent.
Viscosity of the
system
increases as the
conc. of the
Amphiphile
increases.

In aqueous
solutions, the
CMC is reduced
18
by the presence

Comparison of Properties of Different

Classes of Colloidal Dispersions
Properties
Irreversibility
after
precipitation
Stability
towards
prolonged
dialysis
Protective
Ability

Lyophilic
Colloid
Reversible

Lyophobic
Colloid
Irreversible

Amphiphilic
Colloid

stable

Unstable.

Unstable

Capable of
acting as
protective
colloids.

Incapable of
acting as
protective
colloids and
often require
the addition of
material for
Errors and Ommissions are
stability.
expected

Incapable of
acting as
protective
colloids.

19

Errors and Ommissions are

expected

20

Properties of colloids
1. Electrical Properties.
2. Optical Properties.
3. Kinetic Properties.

Errors and Ommissions are

expected

21

Development of Charge
of Colloidal Particles
1. Dissociation of the adsorbed molecular
electrolytes:
molecules thus adsorbed on the surface of colloidal
particles may undergo dissociation/ionization and
may impart charge to them.
during the preparation of sulphide sols. H 2S
molecules get adsorbed on colloidal particles.
H2S molecules thus adsorbed undergo ionization
and release H+ ions into the medium.
Consequently, colloidal particles are left with
negative charge.
Errors and Ommissions are
expected

22

Development of Charge
of Colloidal Particles
2. dissociation of molecules forming
colloidal aggregates:
aggregates of colloidal dimensions
may themselves undergo dissociation/
ionization resulting in the development
of charge on the colloidal particles
formed by their aggregation.
soap molecules (RCOONa) dissociate to
give RCOO-and Na+ions.
Errors and Ommissions are
expected

23

Development of Charge
of Colloidal Particles
3. Preferential adsorption of ions from
solutions:
colloidal particle usually adsorbs those ions
which are in excess and are common to its own
lattice.
when a ferric hydroxide sol is prepared by the
hydrolysis of ferric chloride in warm water, the
colloidal particles of Fe(OH)3formed have a
tendency to adsorb preferentially the Fe3+ions
present in the solution. This is because Fe3+ions
are common to the lattice of Fe(OH)3particle.
Errors and Ommissions are
expected

24

Development of Charge
of Colloidal Particles
1. Positively charged sols:
Metallic hydroxide sols e.g., Fe(OH)3,
Al(OH)3, Cr(OH)3, etc. haemoglobin,
sols of basic dyes such as methylene
blue etc.
2. Negatively charged sols:
It includes starch sol, sols of acid
dyes such as Congo red etc.
Errors and Ommissions are
expected

25

1. Electric
Properties
I. Electrophoresis:
Movement of electrically charged particles under the
influence of an applied electrical field is called as
electrophoresis.
Electrophoresis is used to
Separate a mixture of colloids of different charges.
To determine the quantitative measurement of rate of
migration of colloidal particles. Electrophoretic mobility
i.e. rate in centimeters/sec under a potential of 1v/cm can
be calculated by determining the time necessary for a
solution to travel a definite distance.
for the analysis of proteins, nucleic acids and
polysaccharides.
Errors and Ommissions are
expected

26

1. Electric
Properties
II. Electro-osmosis:
Movement of
electrically charged
particles under the
influence of an applied
electrical field through
a semipermeable
membrane.
It is used in the
removal of water from
moist clay and drying
dye pastes.
Errors and Ommissions are
expected

27

1. Electric
Properties
III. Streaming Potential:
if galvanometer is attached instead of
battery, no current flows.
when water is forced through the tube some
emf is indicated.
Potential produced is directly proportional to
the applied pressure and zeta potential of
interface.
This potential is called as streaming
potential.
Errors and Ommissions are
expected

28

1. Electric
Properties
IV. Sedimentation Potential:
In a resting liquid, particles move
due to the gravitational force and
settle down.
a potential difference is created
between the top and bottom of the
liquid.
Potential difference between top and
bottom due to sedimentation is
called as sedimentation potential.
Errors and Ommissions are
expected

29

2. Optical
Properties
I. Faraday Tyndall Effect:
When a strong beam of light is passed through
a colloidal solution against a dark background
at right angle to the plane of observation, the
light rays passing through the dispersion form
a visible cone, resulting forms the scattering of
light by colloidal particles.
Although the particles cannot be seen directly,
the bright spots, corresponding to particles can
be observed and counted.
Errors and Ommissions are
expected

30

2. Optical
Properties
II. Light Scattering:
Scattering may be described in terms of
relative turbidity, T.
the fractional decrease in intensity due to
scattering as the incident light passes
through 1cm of solution.
It may be expressed as the intensity of light
scattered in all direction, divided by the
intensity of the incident light.
T = Is/I
Errors and Ommissions are
expected

31

3. Kinetic Properties
I. Brownian Movement:
Robert Brown studied this phenomenon.
Colloidal particles move in zigzag fashion when
particles of dispersion medium undergo collision
from all sides.
Brownian movement keeps colloidal particles
suspended against gravitation thus makes dispersion
permanent.
Viscosity is the expression for the internal resistance
of a fluid to flow.
Increasing the viscosity of the medium, there is a
decrease and finally stops the Brownian motion.
Errors and Ommissions are
expected

32

3. Kinetic Properties
II. Osmotic Pressure:
Osmotic pressure is inversely
proportional to the molecular weight.
Osmotic pressure, = MRT
colloids with greater molecular
weight have less osmotic pressure.
Thats why osmotic pressure of urea
is greater as compared to that of
albumin or starch.
Errors and Ommissions are
expected

33

3. Kinetic Properties
III. Diffusibility:
Diffusion is the spontaneous movement of molecules from the
area of higher conc. to the area of lower conc. until the conc. of
the system is uniform throughout is called as diffusion.
Ficks Law of Diffusion:
Rate of diffusion across the plane is proportional to the conc
grandient across the plane to the area of the plane.
J = DA (Ca Cb) / X
J= flow of solute from region A to region B
D= diffusion coefficient of solute in given solvent
A= cross sectional area through which flow of solute is measured
C= change in conc in region A and region B
X= Distance between region A and region B

Errors and Ommissions are

expected

34

3. Kinetic Properties
IV. Sedimentation:
Depending upon the relative
densities of the dispersed phase, one
will fine the downward movement of
particles, with in a period of time
ranging from few seconds to few
hours. This process is called as
sedimentation.
V = d2 (-)g/18
G = acceleration due to gravity
Errors and Ommissions are
expected

35

3. Kinetic Properties
V. Viscosity:
Viscosity is an expression of the internal
resistance of the flow of a system under an
applied stress.
The more viscous a liquid, greater would be
the applied force required to make it flow
at a particular rate.
The viscosity of colloidal dispersion is
affected by the shape of particles of the
disperse phase.
Errors and Ommissions are
expected

36

3. Kinetic Properties
VI. Filtration:
Colloidal solution cannot pass through ultrafilters but
pass through ordinary filter paper.
VII. Effect of Temperature:
With the change of temperature, colloids are
precipitated e.g. fried egg and coagulated casein of
milk.
Flocculation Value:
It is the minimum conc. of an electrolyte which is
able to cause a decrease in the degree of dispersion,
if the solution is observed two phase after addition of
electrolyte.
Errors and Ommissions are
expected

37

Sensitization & Protective Action

of Colloids
When a small amount of hydrophilic or hydrophobic
colloid is added in hydrophobic colloid of opposite
charge, coagulation occurs.
This phenomenon is called as sensitization.
The addition of large amount of hydrophile
(hydrophilic colloid), however, stabilizes the system
(retards the precipitation of hydrophilic solution).
This phenomenon is known as protection.
It is believed that protective action is due to the
covering of lyophobic particles with that of lyophilic
colloids.
Errors and Ommissions are
expected

38

Sensitization & Protective Action

of Colloids
Gold Number:
minimum weight in milligram of a protective
colloid (dry weight of dispersed phase) required
to prevent a color change from red to violet in
10ml of a gold solution on the addition of 1ml of
a 10% solution of sodium chloride (NaCl).
Congo rubin number:
minimum no. of protective colloid in mg that
prevents the color change of 100ml of 0.01%
congo rubin dye to which 0.16gm equivalent of
KCl is added.
Errors and Ommissions are
expected

39

Stability of Colloids
Stability depends upon the charge, salvation and
Brownian motion.
Lyophilic solutions are stable on addition of
electrolyte but lyophobic solutions are unstable.
The particles in such solution are stabilized only by
the presence of electrical charges on their surfaces.
The like charges produce a repulsion and presents
coagulation of particles.
Brownian movement counteracts the force of gravity
on the colloidal particles and thus stabilizes the
colloidal system.
Errors and Ommissions are
expected

40

Stability of Colloids
The affinity of hydrophilic colloidal particle for an
aqueous dispersion medium is sufficient to
render these dispersions thermodynamically
stable e.g. colloidal solution of acacia. Gelatin,
starch and proteins form hydrolhilic colloids.
Degree of hydration may vary among these
compounds.
There are two main factors incolved in the
stability of colloids:
i. Electric Charge
ii. Hydration of dispersed particles.
Errors and Ommissions are
expected

41

Stability of Colloids
If the charge on the dispersed particles is reduced
to zero, the colloidal system may become
unstable.
As the colloids pass through isoelectric point, the
charge of each double layer is reversed.
After the hydrophilic colloid is dehydrated it is as
sensitive to electrolytes as hydrophobic colloids.
Heat, alcohol and tannins are used as dehydrating
agents.
Both factors play a vital role in stability of colloids.

Errors and Ommissions are

expected

42

Stability of Colloids
Similarly, if electrolytes are added in starch
solution.
It will cause removal of charges from particles but
there would be no coagulation.
Further addition of alcohol; a dehydrating agent will
cause the precipitation of solution.
So, it can be concluded that;
i. It is immaterial, in which sequence the stability
factors are removed.
ii. Removal of one factor has no evident effect but
the removal of both factors will cause coagulation.
Errors and Ommissions are
expected

43

Stability of Colloids
1. Vander Waals forces or Electromagnetic
Forces of Attraction:
due to interaction of permanent dipole and
induced dipole.
To overcome these attraction forces, repulsive
forces are generated by two means.
i. Due to electric double layer or surface charge of
particles.
ii. Due to interaction b/w adsorbed polymeric layers.
.Above two sources are called electric stabilization,
or stearic or polymeric stabilization.
Errors and Ommissions are
expected

44

Stability of Colloids
2. Electrical Forces of Repulsion:
The repulsive energy VR arising from the introduction of electrical
double layers.
free energy of system of two double layers as a functions of their
distance of separation.
3. Born Repulsive Forces (VR Born):
due to close approach of particles having irregular surface. Cause
of this force is the electron cloud.
4. Solvation Forces (Repulsive):
These are due to presence of strongly adsorbed molecular layers
of water on each particle.
5. Stearic Forces:
Such forces are dependent upon geometry and configuration of
molecules at interface.
Errors and Ommissions are
expected

45

The Electrical Double

Layer
AA =Particle surface
AA-aa=adsorbed particles
aa-bb=stern layer
bb-cc=Gouy layer
aa-cc=diffused double layer
Charge on stern layer aa-bb
depends upon the charge on
particles.
If the size of the particle is small,
there will be increase in surface
area and surface potential will
be more but smaller particles
aggregate to form larger
particles the surface area is
decreased and decreased
surface tension.
Errors and Ommissions are
expected

A
++++
++++
++++
++++
++++
++++
A++++

---------------------------------------------

+
+
+
-

+-+-++-+-++-+-++-+-++-+-++-+-

46

The Electrical Double

Layer
Let a solid surface is in contact
with a polar solvent containing
ions.
Let us suppose some cations
are adsorbed on the surface
giving it +ve charge.
Remaining ions in the solution
are cations and complete
anions.
The anions are attracted by the
electrical force towards +vely
charged surface.
This electrical force also
inhibits the approach of any
further cations, once the initial
adsorption is complete.
Errors and Ommissions are
expected

47

The Electrical Double

Layer
Cations particles are attached to the surface of the particle.
The adsorbed ions (+ve or-ve) that gave the surface its charge
(+ve or-ve) are referred as the Potential Determining Ions.
Next to this there is a layer of tightly bound solvent molecules
anions. It is the limiting line. These ions having a charge
apposite to the potential determining ions and are known as
counter ions or gegenions.
First tightly bound layer extending from aa to bb is called as
stern layer.
Second layer extending from bb to cc that is more diffused is
called as Gouys layer.
The potential at the solid surface act due to potential
determining joins is the electrothermodynamic E and is called
as Nernst Potential.
Errors and Ommissions are
expected

48

Salient Features of DLVO

Theory
In a dispersion system, forces acting on colloidal particles
are mainly of two types.
i. Electrostatic repulsion.
ii. Landon type Vander Waals attraction.
.These forces result in potential energies of repulsion and
attraction b/w particles.
.A specific balance between attractive and repulsive forces is
necessary.
.Total energy VT = VA + VR
.If VR increases, stability is more and if VT decreases, stability
also decreases.
.VA increases rapidly as particles approaches each other,
where as this effect is less for VR.
Errors and Ommissions are
expected

49

Salient Features of DLVO

Theory
Primary minimum
is due to the fact
that repulsive
forces fall off very
rapidly with
distance (100 nm
approx.) than do
the attractive
forces.
Errors and Ommissions are
expected

50

Preparation of Colloidal
Solution
1. Lyophilic Colloids:
Lyophilic colloids can be prepared by
simply dissolving colloidal
electrolytes such as soaps and
detergents and many other organic
compounds in water e.g. acacia,
gum, gelatin, starch etc.

Errors and Ommissions are

expected

51

Preparation of Colloidal
Solution
2. Lyophobic Colloids:
Lyophobic colloids are prepared by
following methods.
i. Dispersion Method:
a. Physical method.
b. Mechanical method.
c. Electrical method.
ii. Condensation method.
iii. Peptization method.
Errors and Ommissions are
expected

52

Preparation of Colloidal
Solution
i. Dispersion Method:
. In this method, large macro sized
particles are broken down to colloidal
size. It includes three methods;
a. Physical Method:
. Lyophilic colloids have tendency for
dispersion medium. Hydrophilic
solution e.g. gum in hot water and
lyophobic e.g. polystyrene in benzene.
Errors and Ommissions are
expected

53

Preparation of Colloidal
Solution
b. Mechanical Dispersion:
A coarse suspension of a substance in a dispersion
medium is passed through a colloidal mill.
The two discs of mill rotate in very high speed in opposite
direction. Coarse dispersion due to powerful shearing
force is converted to colloidal size e.g. colloidal karolin,
ZnO and sulphur etc.
c. Electro-Dispersion:
Metals can often be dispersed by forming an electric arc
under water between electrodes of the metal. The metal
is vaporized by the heat of act, and vapours condensed
into particles of colloidal size due to the coldness of ice
surrounding system.
Errors and Ommissions are
expected

54

Preparation of Colloidal
Solution
II. Condensation:
Principle of this method is that ions
and molecules of sub-colloidal range
present in solution are converted into
insoluble particles of colloidal size by
means of chemical reaction. These
important chemical reactions are as
follows;
Errors and Ommissions are
expected

55

Preparation of Colloidal
Solution
a. Hydrolysis:
Solutions of hydroxides of weak metals such as
Fe, Cr, Al and Sn are prepared by dissolving
their salts in water.
Ferric oxide Fe2O3.3H2O solution is prepared by
pouring a solution of FeCl3 into boiling water.
Hydrolysis is also used to prepare solution of
Alminium, chromium and other metal oxides.
2FeCl3 + 6H2O Fe2O3.3H2O + 6HCl

Errors and Ommissions are

expected

56

Preparation of Colloidal
Solution
II. Oxidation:
Sulphur solution is prepared by mixing H 2S and SO2.
2H2S + SO2 2H2O + S
III. Reduction:
When gold chloride is reduced with SnCl2 a violet colloidal
solution is obtain.
2AuCl3 + 3SnCl2 3SnCl4 + 2Au
IV. Change of Solvent:
Sulphur sis slightly soluble in alcohol but insoluble in
water.
A saturated solution of sulphur in ethanol is when added
in water, forms a solution of sulphur.
Errors and Ommissions are
expected

57

Preparation of Colloidal
Solution
Peptization:
It is a reverse process of coagulation.
It is a process in which a substance is
dispersed into colloidal size by another
substance known as peptizing agent e.g.
gum, glue and gelatin and peptized by water
to give colloidal solution.
Freshly prepared Fe(OH)3 on treatment with a
small quantity of FeCl3 solution as peptizing
agent forms reddish brown solution.
Errors and Ommissions are
expected

58

Pharmaceutical
Application of Colloids
1. Therapeutic
Activity:

Errors and Ommissions are

expected

59

Pharmaceutical
Application of Colloids

Errors and Ommissions are

expected

60

Pharmaceutical
Application of Colloids
Coating:

Errors and Ommissions are

expected

61

Pharmaceutical
Application of Colloids
3. Colloidal Electrolytes:
used to increase stability, solubility and
taste of certain compounds in aqueous and
oily pharmaceutical preparation.
4. Natural Colloids:
Proteins are important natural colloids and
are found in body as component of bone,
muscle and skin.
Plasma proteins are responsible for binding
certain drugs.
Errors and Ommissions are
expected

62

Pharmaceutical
Application of Colloids
5. Enzymes as Colloids:
Enzymes, which are biocatalysts, they are also
colloidal in nature.
6. Colloids as Emulsifiers:
Acacia, agar, pectin etc that are hydrophilic
colloids, act as emulsifiers and thickening agents
in suspensions non-greasy ointments etc.
7. Protective Action:
Several inorganic colloids are used as protective
colloids for the stabilization of pharmaceutical
suspension, emulsions and ointments.
Errors and Ommissions are
expected

63

Pharmaceutical
Application of Colloids
8. Gel:
Gels are gelatin, pectin, cellulose
derivative are used for
dermatological preparations and also
for culture media.

Errors and Ommissions are

expected

64