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A note on stability of emulsions and evaluation.

Stability of Emulsions and Evaluation of Stability 1) Stability of Emulsions There are two principal requirements for the stability of an emulsion : i) There should not be changes in mean droplet size and size distribution of the droplets in an emulsion. ii) The suspended droplets should remain homogeneously dispersed in the continuous phase throughout it's shelf life. Stability/ instability of the emulsions can be seen by observing following phenomenon: a) Flocculation :   It is the aggregation or clumping of dispersed droplets. This aggregation is re-dispersible by shaking. As the aggregates form due to electrical charges on the droplets/ globules where interfacial film remains intact, flocculation is reversible. Sometimes, flocculation further results into coalescence where the number of globules come together and form a large globule (interfacial film breaks). b) Creaming : In o/w emulsion, dispersed oil globules migrate at the top and accumulate, whereas in w/o emulsion, d