Effects of Selected Variables on the Extractability of Oils from Coacervate Capsules

The hypothesis that certain pharmaceuticals may be stabilized by coacervation led to the investigation of encapsulation requirements for pharmaceutical oils. Saponification values, acid values, and surfactant properties were imparted to light liquid petrolatum by the introduction of oils with high saponification values, organic acids, and surfactants. The effects of these substances on the degree of protection offered by coacervation were determined by submitting the coacervates to extraction with ethyl ether for periods up to 1hour, then comparing the extracts spectrophotometrically to known absorption spectra. Results showed that saponification values had little effect on encapsulation and that acid values and surfactants decreased the degree of encapsulation.