Hydrophilic Lipophilic Balance (HLB) Calculations

Pharmaceutics Lecture 11.1.07

What is the HLB value of a surfactant system composed of 10g Span 60
(HLB=4.7) and 20g Tween 60 (HLB=14.9)?
First, recognize the HLB is equivalent to concentration. Label the variables:

Q1 10 g

C1 4.7

Q2 20 g

C2 14.9

Q f (10 g 20 g ) 30 g C f ??
So now were going to use the same equation weve been using for a while, rearrange it, and solve
for Cf.

C1Q1 C2Q2 C f Q f

C1Q1 C2Q2
4.7 10 g 14.9 20 g
Cf
11.5
Qf
30 g
Rx
Mineral Oil
Wool fat
Cetyl alcohol
Emulsifier
Water qs ad

30g
1.5g
1g
5g
90mL

HLB
12
10
15

a) Calculate the required (final) HLB.

b) Using Tween 60 (HLB=14.9) and Span 60 (HLB=4.7), determine how much of
each you need to fill this Rx. (see below)
Label our variables. Do not use the final volume as Qf. When solving HLB problems consider only
the oils (the guys with an HLB value).

Q1 30 g

C1 12

Q2 1.5 g

C2 10

Q2 1g

C2 15

Q f (30 1.5 1) 32.5 g

C f ??

Rearrange the equation and solve.

C1Q1 C2Q2 C3Q3 C f Q f

12 30 g 10 1.5 g 15 1g
C1Q1 C2Q2 C3Q3
Cf
12
32.5 g
Qf

b) Using Tween 60 (HLB=14.9) and Span 60 (HLB=4.7) as emulsifiers, determine

how much of each you need to fill this Rx.
The Rx above stated that we need 5g of emulsifier to fill this prescription. We will use the median
allegation method to solve the problem (because its easier). Remember we are trying to get a
final HLB of 12.

Tween

HLB
14.9

Final
7.3 parts Tween

12

Span

4.7

2.9 parts Span

10.2 parts HLB 12

So we need 5g of emulsifier with HLB=12. Determine the number of grams of each Tween and
Span we need based on this mass.

5 g HLB 12 7.3 parts Tween

3.6 g Tween

10.2 parts HLB 12
5 g HLB 12 2.9 parts Tween
1.4 g Span

10
.
2
parts
HLB
12

Or instead of doing the second calc, just subtract the number of grams of Tween from the total
mass of the emulsifier.
5 g 3.6 g 1.4 g Span
Rx
Mineral Oil
Cetyl alcohol
Emulsifier
Water qs ad

50% w/v
1g
5% w/v
120mL

HLB
12
15

a) Determine the required HLB.

b) Determine the amount of Tween 60 (HLB=14.9) and Span 60 (4.7) required to
reach this HLB. (see below)
Before we label our variables we need to determine the mass of mineral oil used in the Rx. The Rx
consists of 50% w/v mineral oil (50g/100mL) and is written for 120mL

120mL 50 g

60 g
100mL

Label the variables.

Q1 60 g

C1 12

Q2 1g

C2 15

Q f (60 1) 61g

C f ??

Rearrange the equation and solve:

C1Q1 C2Q2 C f Q f
C1Q1 C2Q2
12 60 g 15 1g
Cf
12.05 12
Qf
61g
b) Determine the amount of Tween 60 (HLB=14.9) and Span 60 (4.7) required
to reach this HLB.
First determine the number of grams of emulsifier required by this Rx. Above the prescription
states that of the final 120mL 5% w/v is emulsifier.

120mL 5 g emulsifier

6 g emulsifier

100mL
Remember the final HLB we calculated above is 12. Again well use median allegation method.

Tween

HLB
14.9

Final
7.3 parts Tween

12

Span

4.7

2.9 parts Span

10.2 parts HLB 12

So we need 6g of emulsifier with HLB=12. Determine the number of grams of each Tween and
Span we need based on this mass.

6 g HLB 12 7.3 parts Tween

4.3g Tween

10
.
2
parts
HLB
12

6 g HLB 12 2.9 parts Tween

1.7 g Span

10
.
2
parts
HLB
12

HLB Worksheet from class

1. What is the HLB of an emulsion blend of 30% span 40 (HLB=6.7) and 70%
tween 40 (HLB=15.6)?
Assume a total mass of 100g for ease of calculations.
Label the variables.

Q1 30 g

C1 6.7

Q2 70 g

C2 15.6

Q f (30 70) 100 g

C f ??

Rearrange the equation and solve:

C1Q1 C2Q2 C f Q f
6.7 30 g 15.6 70 g
C1Q1 C2Q2
Cf
12.9
100 g
Qf
2. a) What is the HLB of the following emulsion?
b) Determine the amount of Tween 60 (HLB=14.9) and Span 60 (4.7)
required to reach this HLB. (see below)
Rx
Cetyl alcohol
White wax
White petrolatum
Emulsifier
Water qs ad

14g
1g
10g
6% w/w
100g

HLB
15
12
12

Label the variables.

Q1 14 g

C1 15

Q2 1g

C2 12

Q2 10 g

C2 12

Q f (14 10 1) 25 g

C f ??

Rearrange the equation and solve:

C1Q1 C2 Q2 C3Q3 C f Q f

C1Q1 C 2 Q2 C3Q3
15 14 g 12 1g 12 10 g
Cf
13.7
25 g
Qf

b) Determine the amount of Tween 60 (HLB=14.9) and Span 60 (4.7) required

to reach this HLB. (see below)
First determine the number of grams of emulsifier required by this Rx. Above the prescription
states that of the final 100g 6% w/w is emulsifier.

100 g 6 g emulsifier
6 g emulsifier

100
g

Remember the HLB we calculated above was 13.7.

Tween

HLB
14.9

Final
9 parts Tween

13.7

Span

4.7

1.2 parts Span

10.2 parts HLB 13.7

So we need 6g of emulsifier with HLB=13.7. Determine the number of grams of each Tween and
Span we need based on this mass.

6 g HLB 13.7 9 parts Tween

5.29 g Tween

10.2 parts HLB 13.7
6 g HLB 13.7 1.2 parts Tween
0.71g Span

10.2 parts HLB 13.7

3. Calculate the required HLB for the oil phase of the following oil phase.
Rx
Cetyl esters wax
White wax
Mineral oil

PARTS
12.5
12.0
56.0

HLB
15
12
12
Label the variables.

Q1 12.5 parts

C1 15

Q2 12 parts

C2 12

Q2 56 parts

C2 12

Q f (12.5 12 56) 80.5 parts

C f ??

Rearrange the equation and solve:

C1Q1 C 2 Q2 C3Q3 C f Q f

C1Q1 C 2 Q2 C3Q3
15 12.5 parts 12 12 parts 12 56 parts
Cf
12.5
80.5 parts
Qf