Effect of non-ionic surfactant concentration and type on the formation and stability of W/O/W multiple emulsions: Microscopic and conductometric evaluations

W/O/W multiple emulsions with sodium salicylate as a model drug were prepared and evaluated for the effect of surfactant concentration and type on stability using microscopic and conductometric methods. Primary (W/O) emulsions were prepared with lipophilic surfactants (2-31% W/W relative to the oily phase). W/O/W emulsions were formed by mixing the primary emulsions with solutions containing 0.5 to 2% W/V hydrophilic surfactants. Optimum concentration of the lipophilic surfactant was 26% W/W. The optimum hydrophilic surfactant concentration was 1% W/V. Best stability was achieved with HLB 3.7 lipophilic and HLB 15.6 hydrophilic surfactants.