Study of structural and mechanical properties of sodium alginate gels
Ievgenii Gladukh, Maiia Podorozhna
Rheological parameters are an important characteristic of semisolid dosage forms. Structural and mechanical characteristics have a noticeable effect on the processes of release and absorption of drugs from ointments, as well as on their consumer properties: spreadability, adhesion, the ability to squeeze out of the tubes.
The aim: to study the rheological parameters of aqueous solutions of sodium alginate in various concentrations to create medicinal hydrogel compositions.
Materials and methods: sodium alginate (Shandong Topsea Seaweed Industrial Co., Ltd., China) was used as a gelling agent. The physicochemical properties of the samples were studied according to generally accepted methods of the State Pharmacopoeia of Ukraine. Rheological studies of experimental samples were carried out using a rotational viscometer «Rheolab QC», by Anton Paar (Austria) with coaxial cylinders C-CC27/SS at a temperature 20–25 °С.
Results and discussion: the rheological profiles of sodium alginate gels have a non-Newtonian type of flow, which makes it possible to characterize them as systems with plastic-viscous properties. Gels with a sodium alginate concentration of 1.5–2 % have the best indicators of yield stress, hysteresis loop area, mechanical stability and dynamic flow coefficients. This indicates a low degree of destruction of the structural grid in the process of mechanical action and the presence of thixotropic bonds.
Conclusions: sodium alginate gel base at 0.5 % and 1 % concentration is less stable under stress compared to sodium alginate bases at 1.5 % and 2 % concentration. The gel base of sodium alginate at a concentration of 2 % has the optimal mechanical stability value.
How to cite paper:
Gladukh, I, , Podorozhna, M, (2021). Study of structural and mechanical properties of sodium alginate gels. EUREKA: Health Sciences, 2, 82-89. doi:https://doi.org/10.21303/2504-5679.2021.001732