School of Pharmaceutical Sciences

FAR 223/3
Physical Pharmacy II

Experiment 3
Rheological Properties of Liquids and
Ointments

Names : Tan Lee Khing 103621
: Thai Gaik Lee 103628
: Wong Jen Yie 103634
: Yap Yae Tyug 103638
Date : 25 February 2011
Coordinator: Mr. Samer Al-Dhalli
Objectives
a) To study the rheological properties of Bephanten, Vaseline and Nivea cream, including viscosity,
flowability and thixotropy.
b) To study type of flow of medicated ointment, Vaseline and Nivea cream.
c) To access customers acceptability towards medicated ointment, Vaseline and Nivea cream using
a ranking system.
d) To correlate patients acceptance with the rheological properties of the preparations.

Introduction
Rheology is the study of the deformation and flow of matter under the influence of an
applied stress. Rheology can also be defined as a study of the change in form and flow of matter,
embracing elasticity, viscosity, and plasticity. Basically, liquids can be divided into Newtonian fluids
and non- Newtonian fluids according to their flow properties.
The behavior of Newtonian liquids at constant temperature and pressure has the following
features:
1. The change in the shear rate is proportional to and at a constant rate to the change in the
shear stress applied. Thus the relationship between shear rate and shear stress is linear.
2. The shear viscosity doesn't vary with shear rate.
3. The viscosity is constant with respect to the time of shearing.
4. The viscosities measured in different types of deformation are always in simple proportion
to one another.
A liquid showing any deviation from the above features is non-Newtonian.
The following diagram shows the typical rheograms (flow curves) for Newtonian liquid
rate of shear
(sec
-1
)



Shearing stress (dynes/cm)
Non- Newtonian liquid is defined as one for which the relationship between shear rate and
shear stress is not constant. The viscosity of non-Newtonian fluids changes as the shear rate is varied.
Thus, the parameters of viscometer model, spindle and rotational speed all have an effect on the
measured viscosity. This measured viscosity is called apparent viscosity and is accurate when explicit
experimental parameters are adhered to. There are several types of non-Newtonian flow behavior,
characterized by the way a fluid's viscosity changes in response to variations in shear rate.
Pseudoplastic
Fluid displays a decreasing viscosity with an increasing shear rate, some examples include paints and
emulsions.
Dilatant
The fluid is characterized by an increasing viscosity with an increase in shear rate, some examples
include clay slurries, candy compounds, corn starch in water, and sand/water mixtures.
Plastic Flow (Bingham)
Liquid behaves like solid under static conditions. A certain amount of force must be applied to the
fluid before any flow is induced. This force is called yield value. Tomato catsup is an example of such
fluid. Once the yield value is exceeded and flow begins.
Some fluids display a change in viscosity with time under conditions of constant shear rate.
Tixotropic
Fluid undergoes a decrease in viscosity with time, while it is subjected to constant shearing
Rheopexic
Fluid's viscosity increases with time as it is sheared at a constant rate.
Experimental Procedure
Please refer to practical manual FAR223/3 Physical Pharmacy II, pages 13-18.





Result& Calculation
A. Vaseline

Shear stress, Pa Average shear rate 1/s log
10
shear rate log
10
(S-F)
0.05006 0.00002422 -4.616 -
10.05000 0.00181850 -2.740 -
20.05000 0.00689400 -2.162 -
30.05000 0.01435500 -1.843 -
40.05000 0.02464000 -1.608 -
50.05000 0.03814500 -1.419 -
60.05000 0.05612500 -1.251 -
70.05000 0.08174000 -1.088 -
80.05000 0.11939500 -0.923 -
90.05000 0.18900000 -0.724 -
100.00000 0.32350000 -0.490 -
110.00000 0.58715000 -0.231 0.301029996
120.00000 0.95490000 -0.020 1.079181246
130.10000 1.51145000 0.179 1.344392274
140.10000 2.33150000 0.368 1.506505032
150.10000 3.14250000 0.497 1.624282096
160.10000 3.88600000 0.590 1.716837723
170.10000 4.59750000 0.663 1.7930916
180.10000 5.26000000 0.721 1.857935265
190.10000 5.85800000 0.768 1.914343157
200.10000 6.38750000 0.805 1.96425963
210.10000 6.93800000 0.841 2.009025742
220.10000 7.48650000 0.874 2.049605613
230.10000 8.04200000 0.905 2.086715664
240.10000 8.65600000 0.937 2.120902818
250.00000 9.29100000 0.968 2.152288344
250.00000 9.51900000 0.979 2.152288344
240.00000 9.30100000 0.969 2.120573931
230.00000 9.21050000 0.964 2.086359831
220.00000 9.04900000 0.957 2.049218023
210.00000 8.81750000 0.945 2.008600172
200.00000 8.61350000 0.935 1.963787827
190.00000 8.29850000 0.919 1.913813852
180.00000 7.92250000 0.899 1.857332496
170.00000 7.54500000 0.878 1.792391689
160.00000 7.10850000 0.852 1.716003344
150.00000 6.66750000 0.824 1.62324929
140.00000 6.26000000 0.797 1.505149978
130.00000 5.73550000 0.759 1.342422681
120.00000 5.24200000 0.719 1.079181246
110.00000 4.72900000 0.675 0.301029996
100.00000 4.15050000 0.618 -
90.00000 3.58800000 0.555 -
80.00000 3.02900000 0.481 -
70.00000 2.50050000 0.398 -
60.00000 1.97750000 0.296 -
50.00000 1.46150000 0.165 -
40.00000 0.99620000 -0.002 -
30.00000 0.58235000 -0.235 -
20.00000 0.27060000 -0.568 -
10.00000 0.06701000 -1.174 -
0.05006 -0.00317850 - -






From graph of Average Shear Rate Vs Shear Stress,

Initial Yield value for Vaseline = 60 Pa
Actual Yield value for Vaseline = 108 Pa


-2.00
0.00
2.00
4.00
6.00
8.00
10.00
0.00 50.00 100.00 150.00 200.00 250.00 300.00
A
v
e
r
a
g
e

S
h
e
a
r

r
a
t
e

1
/
s


Shear Stress ( Pa )
Average Shear Rate 1/s vs Shear Stress (Pa)
Initial Yield Value
Yield Value



The Viscosity , =
gradient
1


Based on the graph, gradient = (9.2-0.6)/(250-120) = 0.066
Thus, the viscosity = 1 / 0.066
= 15.12 Pa /s

Thixotropy is determined through the area between the 2 curves of the graph
Area A: x 4.0 x 80 = 160
Area B: x 4.4 x 80 = 176
Area C: x 3.2 x 70 = 112
Area D: x 3.2 x 50 = 80
Area E: x 0.8 x 70 = 28
Area F: x 1.2 x 30 = 18
Total = Area A + Area B + Area C+ Area D + Area E + Area F = 574 Pa/ s

Thus, degree of thixotropy is 574.

-2.00
0.00
2.00
4.00
6.00
8.00
10.00
0.00 50.00 100.00 150.00 200.00 250.00 300.00
A
v
e
r
a
g
e

S
h
e
a
r

r
a
t
e

1
/
s


Shear Stress ( Pa )
Average Shear Rate 1/s vs Shear Stress (Pa)
C
D
E
F


From graph of Log
10
Average Shear Rate Vs Log
10
(S-F),

Constant, n = gradient of graph = (1.00-0.48)/(2.18-1.60) = 0.9

Terminal viscosity =1/gradient = 1/0.9 = 1.11

From the formula ,
Log G = N log (S-F) log (intrinsic viscosity)
log = n log (x ) - log


Y = m x + c
C = Y intercept = -0.32
C = - log


-log

= -0.32

= 2.09 Pa/s


n=0.9, 1
Therefore, the plastic flow of Vaseline can be categorized as plastic Bingham flow.

-0.40
-0.20
0.00
0.20
0.40
0.60
0.80
1.00
1.20
0.00 0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00 2.50
L
o
g
1
0

A
v
e
r
a
g
e

S
h
e
a
r

R
a
t
e

Log
10
(S-F)
Log
10
Average Shear Rate vs Log
10
(S-F)

B. Nivea

Shear stress, Pa Average shear rate 1/s log
10
shear rate log
10
(S-F)
0.05 -0.00011565 - -
10.05 -0.00006748 - -
20.05 -0.00008759 - -
30.05 -0.00009499 - -
40.05 0.0003347 -3.475459938 -
50.05 0.0001825 -3.738852781 -
60.05 0.0003233 -3.490509945 -
70.05 0.0002841 -3.546644416 -
80.05 0.0003882 -3.411060119 -
90.05 0.0006621 -3.179192062 -
100.00 0.0006516 -3.186134574 -
110.00 0.0009936 -3.002904067 -
120.00 0.0016554 -2.781212699 -
130.10 0.0028301 -2.548313869 -1
140.10 0.0086651 -2.062342071 1.004321374
150.10 0.01876 -1.726882816 1.303196057
160.10 0.034295 -1.464884843 1.478566496
170.10 0.052105 -1.28323625 1.603144373
180.10 0.074245 -1.129448438 1.699837726
190.10 0.104264 -0.981981268 1.778874472
200.10 0.134161 -0.872489363 1.845718018
210.10 0.174025 -0.759504008 1.903632516
220.10 0.212296 -0.673173839 1.954724791
230.10 0.25545 -0.592809743 2.000434077
240.10 0.29875 -0.524807736 2.041787319
250.00 0.36633 -0.436243164 2.079181246
250.00 0.38019 -0.42011496 2.079181246
240.00 0.3628 -0.440448372 2.041392685
230.00 0.34735 -0.459348347 2
220.00 0.3341 -0.476239174 1.954242509
210.00 0.31725 -0.498714019 1.903089987
200.00 0.29678 -0.52768102 1.84509804
190.00 0.27605 -0.559127899 1.77815125
180.00 0.25405 -0.595196451 1.698970004
170.00 0.23235 -0.633972973 1.602059991
160.00 0.2048 -0.688785698 1.477121255
150.00 0.1797 -0.745567573 1.301029996
140.00 0.1497 -0.82489385 1
130.00 0.1275 -0.894605465 -
120.00 0.10407 -0.982790095 -
110.00 0.081135 -1.09090741 -
100.00 0.059605 -1.224832958 -
90.00 0.042625 -1.370451258 -
80.00 0.030665 -1.513472681 -
70.00 0.02059 -1.686459303 -
60.00 0.008745 -2.058355836 -
50.00 0.0017317 -2.761642993 -
40.00 -0.0002614 - -
30.00 -0.0002805 - -
20.00 -0.0003677 - -
10.00 -0.0003236 - -
0.05 -0.0004428 - -



From graph of Average Shear Rate Vs Shear Stress,

Initial Yield value for Nivea cream = 130 Pa
Actual Yield value for Nivea cream = 170 Pa


-0.05
0
0.05
0.1
0.15
0.2
0.25
0.3
0.35
0.4
0 50 100 150 200 250 300
Graph of Average Shear Rate (1/s)
vs Shear Stress (Pa)
Shear Stress (Pa)
A
v
e
r
a
g
e

S
h
e
a
r

R
a
t
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(
1
/
s
)

Actual Yield Point
Initial Yield Point



The Viscosity, =
gradient
1

Based on the graph, gradient = (0.39-0.02) / (270-170) = 0.0037
Thus, the viscosity = 1 / 0.0037
= 270.27 Pa /s

Thixotropy is determined through the area between the 2 curves of the graph
Area A: x 0.15 x 90 = 6.75
Area B: x 60 x 0.15 = 4.5
Area C: x 70 x 0.16 = 5.6
Area D: x 30 x 0.14 = 2.1
Area E: x 40 x 0.07 = 1.4
Total = Area A+Area B +Area C+ Area D+ Area E= 20.35 Pa/ s

Thus, the degree of thixotropy is 20.35 Pa/s .




From graph of Log
10
Average Shear Rate Vs Log
10
(S-F),

The gradient = ( 3-0.5 ) / ( 2.2-0.5 ) = 1.471
Terminal viscosity = 1/gradient = 1/1.471 =0.6798
From the formula,
log = n log ( ) - log


Y = m X + C
C= Y intercept = -2.3
C = - log


-log

= -2.3

= 199.53 Pa/s

The gradient, n= 1.471
n>1, thus the plastic flow of Nivea cream an be categorized as Casson model.
It is also because up-curve and down-curve are not superimposed.



C. Bephanten Cream
Stress (Pa) Shear Rate (Pa/s)
Average
Shear
Log
10

Stress
Log
10

Average
Log
10
S-F
Rate (1/s) Shear Rate
5.01E-02 1.93E-05 -8.25E-06 5.53E-06 -1.30E+00 -5.26E+00 -
1.01E+01 1.69E-03 1.69E-03 1.69E-03 1.00E+00 -2.77E+00 -
2.01E+01 3.15E-03 2.92E-03 3.04E-03 1.30E+00 -2.52E+00 -
3.01E+01 2.11E-01 5.16E-03 1.08E-01 1.48E+00 -9.67E-01 -
4.01E+01 4.28E-01 1.73E-01 3.00E-01 1.60E+00 -5.22E-01 -
5.01E+01 6.72E-01 4.64E-01 5.68E-01 1.70E+00 -2.46E-01 -
6.01E+01 1.02E+00 8.01E-01 9.12E-01 1.78E+00 -4.01E-02 -
7.01E+01 1.43E+00 1.12E+00 1.28E+00 1.85E+00 1.06E-01 -
8.01E+01 1.91E+00 1.53E+00 1.72E+00 1.90E+00 2.34E-01 -
9.01E+01 2.51E+00 2.03E+00 2.27E+00 1.95E+00 3.56E-01 -
1.00E+02 3.38E+00 2.94E+00 3.16E+00 2.00E+00 5.00E-01 -
1.10E+02 5.07E+00 4.89E+00 4.98E+00 2.04E+00 6.97E-01 -
1.20E+02 9.15E+00 1.01E+00 5.08E+00 2.08E+00 7.05E-01 -
1.30E+02 2.11E+01 2.94E+00 1.20E+01 2.11E+00 1.08E+00 0.78533
1.40E+02 5.41E+01 7.83E+00 3.10E+01 2.15E+00 1.49E+00 1.207275
1.50E+02 1.05E+02 1.36E+00 5.30E+01 2.18E+00 1.72E+00 1.417333
1.50E+02 1.35E+02 1.63E+00 6.85E+01 2.18E+00 1.84E+00 1.417333
1.40E+02 1.30E+02 1.47E+00 6.56E+01 2.15E+00 1.82E+00 1.207275
1.30E+02 1.10E+02 1.26E+00 5.58E+01 2.11E+00 1.75E+00 0.78533
1.20E+02 9.08E+01 1.04E+00 4.59E+01 2.08E+00 1.66E+00 -
1.10E+02 7.01E+01 8.22E+00 3.92E+01 2.04E+00 1.59E+00 -
1.00E+02 5.07E+01 6.01E+00 2.84E+01 2.00E+00 1.45E+00 -
9.01E+01 3.31E+01 4.11E+00 1.86E+01 1.95E+00 1.27E+00 -
8.01E+01 1.75E+01 2.31E+00 9.88E+00 1.90E+00 9.95E-01 -
7.01E+01 7.69E+00 1.05E+00 4.37E+00 1.85E+00 6.40E-01 -
6.01E+01 3.18E+00 4.01E+00 3.60E+00 1.78E+00 5.56E-01 -
5.01E+01 1.49E+00 1.33E+00 1.41E+00 1.70E+00 1.50E-01 -
4.01E+01 8.57E-01 6.49E+00 3.67E+00 1.60E+00 5.65E-01 -
3.01E+01 4.37E-01 2.57E+00 1.50E+00 1.48E+00 1.77E-01 -
2.01E+01 1.64E-01 -2.29E+00 -1.06E+00 1.30E+00 - -
1.01E+01 -4.26E-03 -4.26E+00 -2.13E+00 1.00E+00 - -
5.01E-02 -5.84E-03 -1.16E+00 -5.83E-01 -1.30E+00 - -




From graph of Average Shear Rate Vs Shear Stress,
Initial yield value: 50 Pa
Actual yield value: 125 Pa



-1.00E+01
0.00E+00
1.00E+01
2.00E+01
3.00E+01
4.00E+01
5.00E+01
6.00E+01
7.00E+01
8.00E+01
0.00E+00 2.00E+01 4.00E+01 6.00E+01 8.00E+01 1.00E+02 1.20E+02 1.40E+02 1.60E+02
A
v
e
r
a
g
e

S
h
e
a
r
R
a
t
e


(
1
/
s
)

Shear Stress
Graph of Average Shear Rate vs Shear Stress (Bephanten)
-1.00E+01
0.00E+00
1.00E+01
2.00E+01
3.00E+01
4.00E+01
5.00E+01
6.00E+01
7.00E+01
8.00E+01
0.00E+00 2.00E+01 4.00E+01 6.00E+01 8.00E+01 1.00E+02 1.20E+02 1.40E+02 1.60E+02
A
v
e
r
a
g
e

S
h
e
a
r
R
a
t
e


(
1
/
s
)

Shear Stress
Graph of Average Shear Rate vs Shear Stress (Bephanten)
C
Initial Yield Value
Actual Yield Value
From graph of Average Shear Rate Vs Shear Stress,

The Viscosity , =
gradient
1


Based on the graph, gradient = (80-0) / (160-126) = 2.35
Thus, the viscosity = 1 / 2.35
= 0.43 Pa /s
Thixotropy is determined through the area between the 2 curves of the graph
Area A: x 32x 28= 448
Area B: x 32x36 = 576
Area C: x 37x38 = 703
Total = Area A+Area B +Area C= 1727 Pa/ s

Thus, the degree of thixotropy is 1727.



From graph of Log
10
Average Shear Rate Vs Log
10
(S-F),
The gradient = (1.84-(-0.18) ) / ( 1.4-0 ) = 1.443
Terminal viscosity = 1/gradient = 1/1.443 =0.693
From the formula,
log = n log ( ) - log


Y= mX + C
C= Y intercept = -0.18
C = - log


-log

= -0.18

=1.51 Pa/s

The gradient, n= 1.443
n>1, thus the plastic flow of Bepanthen cream can be categorized as Casson model.

CUSTOMER ACCEPTABILITY ASSESSMENT

One Way ANOVA

Step 1:


Step 2:


Step 3:


Step 4:

Step 5:

Step 6:

Step 7:

If F value > critical value, the difference is statistically significant.
Tukey HSD test is carried out to determine which of the groups are statistically different.


( )
total
total
n
x
CF
2
E
=
CF x SS total
total
=

2
( ) ( ) ( )
CF
n
x
n
x
n
x
SS
Vaseline
Vaseline
Bephanten
Bephanten
Nivea
Nivea
between
+ + =

2 2 2
between total within
SS SS SS =
between
between
f d
SS
between S
. .
2
=
within
within
f d
SS
within S
. .
2
=
within S
between S
F
2
2
=
Dear junior, to make the calculation
for ANOVA easier you can use the
excel worksheet title ANOVA
worksheet. Just replace the raw
data values in the highlighted
columns =)
1)Thickness
One-way ANOVA test of customer acceptability assessment towards thickness
H
O
: The difference in thickness of the ointments is not significant.
H
A
: The difference in thickness of the ointments is significant.
Ranking,
x
Frequency, f fx fx
Nivea Bephanten Vaseline Nivea Bephanten Vaseline Nivea Bephanten Vaseline
1 2 5 0 2 5 0 2 5 0
2 5 14 4 10 28 8 20 56 16
3 10 7 4 30 21 12 90 63 36
4 6 1 5 24 4 20 96 16 80
5 3 0 4 15 0 20 75 0 100
6 1 0 10 6 0 60 36 0 360
Total, 27 27 27 87 58 120 319 140 592

Nivea Bephanten Vaseline
mean 3.222222 2.148148 4.444444
Variance 1.196703 0.75541 1.474055

CF = 866.9753
SS
total
=184.0247
SS
between
= 71.28395
SS
within
= 112.7407

d.f. SS
between
= k-1 = 3-1 = 2
d.f. SS
within
= n
Total
-k = 81-3 = 78
d.f SS
total
=

n
Total
-1= 81-1= 80

S
2
between = 35.64198
Swithin = 1.445394
F= 24.659


At the 5% significance level,
F
crit
(2,78) = 3.114 at = 0.05
From the test, F= 24.659> 3.114
Thus, the difference in thickness of the ointments is significant.
H
A
is accepted

Tukey Test
From table of q (0.05 level)
k = 3, d.f. = 78q = 3.38
HSD = q x

= 3.38 x

=0.782038
Type of ointment Mean () Difference of mean, HSD Conclusion
Vaseline 4.444444 |
V

|=. 0.782038 > HSD, p < 0.05

Bephanten 2.148148 |
V

|=. 0.782038 >HSD, p < 0.05

Nivea 3.222222 |

N
|=.00 0.782038 > HSD, p < 0.05
- Difference between Vaseline and Bephanten is significant.
- Difference between Vaseline and Nivea is significant.
- Difference between Bephanten and Nivea is significant.


2)Spreadibility
One-way ANOVA test of customer acceptability assessment towards spreadibility
H
O
: The difference in spreadibility of the ointments is not significant.
H
A
: The difference in spreadibility of the ointments is significant.
Ranking,
x
Frequency, f fx fx
Nivea Bephanten
Vaseline Nivea Bephanten Vaseline Nivea Bephanten Vaseline
1 2 7 3
2 7 3 2 7 3
2 6 8 4
12 16 8 24 32 16
3 6 4 10
18 12 30 54 36 90
4 5 4 4
20 16 16 80 64 64
5 8 0 4
40 0 20 200 0 100
6 0 4 2
0 24 12 0 144 72
Total, 27 27 27
92 75 89 360 283 345

Nivea Bephanten Vaseline
mean 3.407407 2.777778 3.296296
Variance 1.312596 1.662959 1.382826



CF = 809.0864
SS
total
=178.9136
SS
between
= 6.098785
SS
within
= 172.814815

d.f. SS
between
= k-1 = 3-1 = 2
d.f. SS
within
= n
Total
-k = 81-3 = 78
d.f SS
total
=

n
Total
-1= 81-1= 80




S
2
between = 3.049393
Swithin = 2.215574
F= 1.376344

At the 5% significance level,
F
crit
(2,78) = 3.114 at = 0.05
From the test, F= 1.376344< 3.114
Thus, the difference in spreadibility of the ointments not significant.
H
A
is rejected.
3)Preference
One-way ANOVA test of customer acceptability assessment toward preference
H
O
: The difference in preference of the ointments is not significant.
H
A
: The difference in preference of the ointments is significant.

Score, x
Frequency, f fx fx
Nivea Bephanten
Vaseline Nivea Bephanten Vaseline Nivea Bephanten Vaseline
1 3 8 4
3 8 4 3 8 4
2 9 7 5
18 14 10 36 28 20
3 4 4 9
12 12 27 36 36 81
4 4 5 6
16 20 24 64 80 96
5 5 1 2
25 5 10 125 25 50
6 2 2 1
12 12 6 72 72 36
Total,

27 27 27
86 71 81 336 249 287

Nivea Bephanten Vaseline
mean 3.185185 2.629630 3.000000
Variance 1.516258 1.518970 1.276569


CF = 699.308642
SS
total
=172.691358
SS
between
= 4.320987
SS
within
= 168.370370

d.f. SS
between
= k-1 = 3-1 = 2
d.f. SS
within
= n
Total
-k = 81-3 = 78
d.f SS
total
=

n
Total
-1= 81-1= 80

S
2
between = 2.160494
Swithin = 2.158594
F= 1.00088


At the 5% significance level,
F
crit
(2,78) = 3.114 at = 0.05
From the test, F= 1.00088< 3.114
Thus, the difference in preference of the ointments not significant.
H
A
is rejected.

Discussion :
A) Product Assessment
i. Characteristic of flow
All the 3 ointments ( Vaseline, Nivea cream and Bephanten) in this experiment are non-
Newtonian liquids as all the curves obtained from the plotted graphs (shear strain,G vs shear
stress,S) are not linear. Instead of that, straight line will be obtained from the graph since Newtonian
liquid exhibits a constant ratio between shear stress and shear rate.
Vaseline, Nivea cream and Bephanten are non- Newtonian liquids with plastic flows since
the curves intercept with the x-axis and not passing through the origin of the graphs ( G vs. S).
Fluidity of all the 3 ointments increases with the shear stress that applied to each of them. Shear
stress applied to the systems should exceed the yield value so that elastic strength can be overcome
in order to produce flows of ointments.
Types of plastic flows can be further determined using the graph log G versus log (S-F) and
the equation of Log G = N log (S F) log n. Vaseline shows a plastic flow that follow Bingham
model as the gradient of the slope, N is nearly 1. Besides, Nivea cream and Bephanten show plastic
flows that follow Casson model since both of their N is greater than 1.
ii. Yield value
Yield value is the minimum shear stress which is required to be applied to the system to
cause measurable shear rate and produce flow. The bonds between the ointments particles must
first be broken to initiate flow. In other word, the ointments does not flow but deforms elastically or
reversibly if the shear stress applied to each of them lower than initial yield value. In this
experiment, Vaseline possesses the lowest yield value followed by Bethanpen and Nivea. The least
stress is needed to cause flow of Vaseline compared to other 2 ointments.
The sequence of yield values : Vaseline < Bephanten < Nivea cream
iii. Plastic viscosity
Apparent viscosities of each ointment can be determined by dividing the gradient of slope
from graph (1/s vs S ) by 1. Nivea cream shows the highest apparent viscosity with 270.27Pa/s,
followed by Vaseline (15.12Pa/s) and Bephanten (0.43Pa/s). Increasing of shear stress can break the
bond between droplets of ointments to reduce the viscosities of ointments. At the same time, the
fluidities of ointments are increased, which mean that the ointment has higher ease of flow.
iv. Thixotropy
Thixotropy can be defined as a reversible, time-dependent decrease in viscosity at a constant
shear rate. All 3 ointments show thixotropic properties as there are shift of the down-curve to the
left when stress is gradually decreases in the graphs of (G vs. S). G increase with S in this experiment.
When S is keep constant, G will still increase with time. At this point, the viscosities of the ointments
keep on decreasing. However, the ointments will gradually return to their original shape and
viscosities increase again when S is removed.
Degree of thixotropy can be related to the concentration of the ointment. Higher viscosity
will be produced when concentration of ointment used is high. There are more bonds or network
between particles to be formed in the system. This results in a more viscous system and stronger
three dimensional structures. Hence, ointment with higher viscosity needs a longer time to re-form
into its initial structure, resulting in higher degree of thixotropy.
In this experiment, the thixotropic value obtained for Vaseline is 574 Pa/s, Bephanten is
1727 Pa/s, and Nivea cream is 20.35 Pa/s. Therefore we can conclude that the Nivea cream can
return to its initial structure easily after a flow has occurred due to its lowest thixotropic value.

B) Customer Acceptability Assessment
27 students are enrolled in this experiment to evaluate 3 samples, which are Vaseline,
Bephanten and Nivea cream based on their thickness, spreadibiliy and customer preference. . The
three characteristics are compared and ranked individually. One-way ANOVA test has been carried
out to study whether there is any significant difference between the 3 samples. Tukey Test is further
carried out to determine where the difference occurs due to the limitation of One-way ANOVA test
which unable to determine such difference.
I. Thickness
From the data showed by one-way ANOVA, there is significant difference among the three
samples if is more than 0.05, which means that F is more than critical value of 3.114. and Tukey
Test is further carry out to determine where the significant differences occurs. If the difference of
mean, A is more than T (obtained from calculation) which is 0.782, the difference is significant and
vice versa. The thickness of the three samples can be show as below:
Vaseline < Nivea cream < Bephanten
From one-way ANOVA, F is 24.659 which is more than 3.114, so there is significant
difference in thickness. Tukey test results show that the difference of mean in thickness between
Vaseline and Nivea cream, Vaseline and bephanten , Nivea cream and Bephanten are significant.
Differences of mean between all these 3 samples are more than 0.782.

II. Spreadibility
From the data showed by one-way ANOVA, there is no significant difference in spreadibility
of these three samples since F is 1.376 which is less than 3.11. It means that the 3 samples have
almost similar spreadability.

III. Preference
There is no significant difference in term of customer preference of these three samples
since. F obtained is 1.000 which is less than 3.11 in one-way ANOVA. This may be due to the similar
materials present in the three samples. The three samples are quite oily and very viscous.

Although there are some significant differences in term of thickness, there are no significant
difference in term of customer preference and spreadibility. So, we conclude that thickness of
samples will not affect spreadibility and preference of customers. However, the results we get from
the experiment seem to be not accurate enough due to the sample size is too small. Bias may occur
as the decisions of students may influence by other students.









Conclusion
1. From the graph rates of shear versus shearing stress, we found that the actual yield value of
preparations is in order of:
Vaseline < Bephanten < Nivea cream

2. From experiment, we found that the viscosity of the ointment is in the order of:
Bephanten < Vaseline < Nivea cream
3. From the ANOVA and Turkey Test done, we can summarize the acceptability of customers
towards the Vaseline, Nivea cream and Bephanten:
-There is significant difference among the thickness of three samples.
-There is no significant difference among the spreadibility and customers preferences of the
three samples.
-Thickness of the samples will not affect spreadibility and preference of customers towards
the samples.

References
1. S. Balakrishnan. PharmaExpress. Characterisings pharmaceutical lotions by rheology [Online].
[2001]; Available from:http://www.expresspharmaonline.com/20061215/ipcspecial04.shtml
2. Ian Scott and Debbie Mazhindu. Statistics for healthcare professionals. An Introduction.
SAGE Publications Ltd; 2005
3. Physical Pharmacy Practical Manual FAR223/3 page 13-18
4. Dr Toh Seok Mings Rhelogy lecture notes 2011