ALCOHOL-FREE MICROEMULSIONS

Abstract
Ternary and Pseudo-ternary phase behavior of the system water/hexadecane/dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (DSS)/sorbitan laurate has been determined. The microemulsion region of this alcohol-free system has potential for use as a pharmaceutical topical vehicle. A 1/1 weight ratio of sorbitan laurate:DSS (60:40)/hexadecane can solubilize up to 55% water, while sobitan laurate:DSS ratios larger than 70/30 show dramatically decreased water solubilization at equivalent hexadecane concentrations.