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10 Fun Facts About Homogenizers for the Pharmaceutical Industry

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Deb Shechter
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Nov 7, 2016
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1
min read
10 Fun Facts About Homogenizers for the Pharmaceutical Industry

Homogenization in the pharmaceutical industry is used to improve the appearance, texture, stability and efficacy of medicinal products. Homogenization is the process of reducing the particle or droplet sizes of pharmaceutical products.  In a high pressure homogenizer, this occurs under very high pressures, cavitation, shear, turbulence, acceleration and impact.

Read on to discover 10 fun facts about homogenizers in the pharmaceutical industry.

  1. Auguste Gaulin introduced the world’s first homogenizer at the Paris World’s Fair in 1900. The machine consisted of a 3-piston pump designed to push a combined stream of milk and cream through a set of tiny capillary tubes – an early version of a homogenizing valve.
  2. In the 1960’s, the use of homogenizers began to spread beyond the dairy industry to include the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Available machine pressure ratings climbed to 8000 psi.
  3. In the 1990’s, the bio-pharmaceutical industry began to require homogenizing pressures upwards of 10000 psi, encouraging innovation in the manufacture of homogenizers.
  4. As the particle size of a pharmaceutical product is reduced, so the bioavailability increases.
  5. DeBEE high pressure homogenizers can produce emulsions with particle sizes so small and uniform, that emulsions actually become clear because all droplets are smaller than 0.1 micron.
  6. In the pharmaceutical industry, homogenization and other particle size reduction techniques are often referred to as “micronization.”
  7. Pharmaceutical manufacturers prefer high pressure homogenization over conventional stirrers, mixers and colloid mills, as the resulting product is more stable.
  8. High pressure homogenizers can significantly reduce the number of preservatives and stabilizers needed for the product.
  9. DeBEE high pressure homogenizers can produce nano emulsions with particles so small and uniform, you can sterilize your products by simply running them through a 0.22 micron filter.
  10. Homogenizers are used to produce hundreds of different kinds of pharmaceutical products, including:
  • Ointments
  • Antibiotics
  • Topical creams and lotions
  • Perfumes
  • Cosmetics (e.g. foundations, nail varnishes)
  • Liposome suspensions
  • Soaps (liquid and bar)
  • Medicinal syrups
  • Enzymes
  • Bacteria and Viruses
  • Active pharmaceutical ingredients (API)
  • Toothpaste
  • Vitamins
  • Shampoo

Learn more about how Pion's BEE brand High Pressure Homogenizers can benefit your pharmaceutical product

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