Unit CHEMICAL FORMULATIONS
- Course
- Chemistry
- Study-unit Code
- A000213
- Curriculum
- In all curricula
- Teacher
- Jenny Desantis
- Teachers
-
- Jenny Desantis
- Hours
- 42 ore - Jenny Desantis
- CFU
- 6
- Course Regulation
- Coorte 2024
- Offered
- 2026/27
- Learning activities
- Affine/integrativa
- Area
- Attività formative affini o integrative
- Sector
- CHIM/06
- Type of study-unit
- Opzionale (Optional)
- Type of learning activities
- Attività formativa monodisciplinare
- Language of instruction
- Italian
- Contents
- Formulation Chemistry refers to the set of activities within the chemical industry aimed at the preparation of specific products designed for a particular end use. The term “formulation” derives from the fact that, in order to achieve all the desired properties of a specialty product, a large number of components are used, and their targeted proportions constitute what is known as the formula. Formulation chemistry is therefore the study of identifying the appropriate composition of various components and ingredients to create specialty products that meet a specific application or need. The objective of this course is to provide a general overview of formulation chemistry, also known as specialty chemistry, through a review of fundamental concepts, the study of preparation methods, and the main analytical and investigative techniques.
- Reference texts
- Students can use slides and / or consult the following texts:
‘’Principi di Tecnica Farmaceutica’’ Michele Amorosa, Piccin
‘’Cosmetic Formulation: Principles and Practice, Heather A.E. Benson, Michael S. Roberts, Vania Rodrigues Leite-Silva, Kenneth Walters, CRC Press, Taylor & Francis Group
“Formulation Technology: Emulsions, Suspensions, Solid Forms” Hans Mollet, Arnold Grubenmann, Ed. Wiley-VCH (2001). - Educational objectives
- The course aims to raise students’ awareness of the importance of specialty products, which account for approximately 50% of Italian chemical production.
The course is intended to provide students with the following fundamental knowledge:
Understand the meaning of formulation and the different types of formulations.
Understand the importance of the formulation chemistry in industrial production.
Understand the economic and environmental aspects involved in the development of a formulation.
Understand the basic principles of formulation design.
Acquire a general understanding of the characteristics of raw materials.
Understand the tools and methodologies underlying the characterization of formulations.
Understand the importance of colloid and interface science for the design, development, and characterization of formulations.
Understand the basic principles for the preparation of an emulsion and the different types of emulsions.
The main skills to be acquired are:
The ability to understand how physical combinations of specific chemical substances can provide particular functionalities to a formulated product.
The ability to apply a scientific approach to gain insight into the mechanism of action of each ingredient within a formulation in order to achieve the desired functionalities.
The ability to identify the functional component among the various ingredients of a formulation.
The ability to determine the role played by specific ingredients in the composition of a formulated product.
The ability to identify which instrumental analyses could be carried out to characterize a formulation.
The ability to recognize which surfactant molecules can, in principle, be used to produce emulsions.
The ability to distinguish among the different types of emulsions. - Prerequisites
- It would be desirable for the student to have attended and successfully passed at least the courses of chemical content of the first year and second year of the course.
In order to properly follow and learn the contents of the course, in a convenient and profitable manner, the student should possess the following knowledge:
Basic knowledge of organic compounds in terms of functional groups and their chemical behaviour; basic knowledge of physical chemistry.
These areas of knowledge are essential prerequisites for students wishing to undertake the course successfully and achieve its learning outcomes. - Teaching methods
- The course includes only lectures. Lectures of 2 hours each, held in the classroom, are focused on the basic contents of the chemistry of the specialties and chemistry of colloids and interfaces. During the lessons, when possible, demonstration experiments will be carried out to support the concepts introduced during the lesson to promote the degree of
learning. Attendance at these classes is strongly recommended. - Other information
- The PDF versions of the slides used by the teacher during lectures will be made available to all students attending the course.
- Learning verification modality
- The exam is only oral, and will involve the formulation of 4-5 questions within a time frame of 1 h. The test is aimed at ascertaining the ability of the student to use and connect the knowledge acquired in solving a practical problem. The overall assessment of the exam will take into account the following aspects: correctness and adequacy of the answers, ability to elaborate and conceptual connection, mastery and ownership of language.
- Extended program
- The course is organized in order to provide a fundamental overview of formulation chemistry, also known as chemistry of specialities, through an introduction to basic concepts, the analysis of preparation methodologies, and the study of specific applications in selected industrial sectors, such as the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.
Definition of formulation. Classification of formulations and definition of their functions.
Definition and classification of pharmaceutical formulations.
Nature and classification of formulation components and ingredients: active ingredients or functional components, auxiliaries, additives, adjuvants, excipients, etc.
Liquid pharmaceutical dosage forms: solutions, syrups, and eye drops.
Solid pharmaceutical dosage forms: tablets.
Importance of the principles of colloid and interface science in formulation chemistry and technology.
Surfactants: classification and general properties. Structural models of micellar aggregates and definition of the associated structural parameters.
Critical micelle concentration (CMC): determination, measurement methods, and dependence on formulation characteristics.
Surface tension. Basic concepts of surface tension and viscosity measurements.
Vesicles and liposomes: structure, properties, and applications.
Reverse micelles and emulsions: characteristics, properties, and applications.
HLB (Hydrophilic-Lipophilic Balance) system for the classification of emulsions. Formation and stability of emulsions.
Semisolid formulations: creams, sunscreens, and cosmetic products.