PREDICTING O/W EMULSION STABILITY BY THE “REQUIRED HLB EQUATION”

ABSTRACT Empirical “Required HLB” values of unfolded non- electrolytes correspond well (r=0.952) to a new function of the intermolecular free energies of cohesion, calculated from solubility parameters. The equation: Req.HLB=[ (SP+7) /8]4 predicts relatively stable oil in water(O/W)macroemulsions for single or multiple ingredient internal phases. Folding of linear aliphatic chains was found to affect predictive results. “Folding corrections” were suggested for both saturated and unsaturated materials.