Polyethylene Glycol 8000

 

Polyethylene Glycol 8000(PEG-8000)

Polyethylene Glycol 8000 (PEG-8000) is a polymer of ethylene oxide, commonly used in various applications due to its solubility in water and low toxicity. Here’s a brief overview:

Applications of Polyethylene Glycol 8000

  • Pharmaceuticals: Used as an excipient in drug formulations, as a laxative, and in controlled-release medications.
  • Cosmetics and Personal Care: Acts as a humectant, thickener, and solvent in lotions, creams, and toothpaste.
  • Industrial Applications: Used as a lubricant, plasticizer, and in various manufacturing processes.
  • Biotechnology: Employed in protein precipitation, cell culture, and other biological applications.

Specific Uses of PEG-8000

Polyethylene Glycol 8000 (PEG-8000) has a wide range of specific uses across different industries. Here’s a more detailed look at its applications:

  1. Pharmaceuticals:
    – Laxatives: PEG-8000 is used as the active ingredient in over-the-counter laxatives. It works by retaining water in the stool, which helps to soften it and promote bowel movements.
    – Tablet and Capsule Formulation: PEG-8000 serves as a binder, lubricant, and coating agent in tablets and capsules, improving their stability and controlling the release of the active ingredients.
    – Drug Delivery Systems: Due to its ability to form hydrogels, PEG-8000 is used in controlled-release drug delivery systems, allowing for a gradual release of medications.
  2. Cosmetics and Personal Care:
    – Moisturizers and Lotions: PEG-8000 acts as a humectant, attracting and retaining moisture in the skin, which helps to keep it hydrated.
    – Toothpaste: It is used as a thickening agent to give toothpaste its consistency and to ensure even distribution of the ingredients.
    – Hair Care Products: In shampoos and conditioners, PEG-8000 provides a smooth, silky texture and helps to stabilize the formulation.
  3. Food Industry:
    Food Additive: PEG-8000 can be used as an anti-foaming agent, a thickener, or a solvent in various food products. Its usage is regulated, and it must comply with specific safety guidelines.
    Food Packaging: It can be incorporated into food packaging materials to improve flexibility and durability.
  4. Industrial Applications:
    – Lubricants: PEG-8000 is used as a lubricant in various industrial processes, including in machinery and molds, due to its non-reactive and non-corrosive properties.
    – Plasticizer: In the manufacturing of plastics, PEG-8000 is used as a plasticizer to enhance flexibility and reduce brittleness.
    – Adhesives: It acts as a stabilizer and thickener in adhesive formulations, improving their performance and application.
  5. Biotechnology and Research:
    – Protein Precipitation: In molecular biology, PEG-8000 is used to precipitate proteins and nucleic acids by reducing their solubility, which helps in purification processes.
    – Cell Culture: It is used in cell fusion techniques and as a crowding agent in cell culture, promoting more natural cell environments.
    – Cryopreservation: PEG-8000 helps protect cells, proteins, and other biological materials during freezing, reducing the formation of ice crystals.
  6. Agriculture:
    – Water Retention: In agricultural applications, PEG-8000 can be added to soil to improve water retention, which is beneficial in arid regions.
    – Seed Coating: It is used in seed coatings to control the release of fertilizers and other nutrients, improving germination rates.
  7. Medical Devices:
    – Lubricants for Catheters and Tubes: PEG-8000 is used as a lubricant for medical devices like catheters, ensuring smooth insertion and reducing discomfort for patients.
    – Hydrogels: It is used in the production of hydrogels for wound care, providing a moist environment that promotes healing.
    These uses highlight the versatility of PEG-8000 across various fields, making it an essential compound in many industries.

Characteristics of PEG-8000

  • Molecular Weight: Approximately 8,000 Daltons.
  • Physical Form: Usually found as a white powder or flakes.
  • Solubility: Soluble in water, alcohols, and many organic solvents.
  • Viscosity: Higher than lower molecular weight PEGs, making it useful where increased viscosity is needed.

Safety Guidelines of Polyethylene Glycol 8000

Polyethylene Glycol 8000 (PEG-8000) has a wide range of specific uses across different industries. Here’s a more detailed look at its applications:

  1. Pharmaceuticals:
    Laxatives: PEG-8000 is used as the active ingredient in over-the-counter laxatives. It works by retaining water in the stool, which helps to soften it and promote bowel movements.
    Tablet and Capsule Formulation: PEG-8000 serves as a binder, lubricant, and coating agent in tablets and capsules, improving their stability and controlling the release of the active ingredients.
    Drug Delivery Systems: Due to its ability to form hydrogels, PEG-8000 is used in controlled-release drug delivery systems, allowing for a gradual release of medications.
  2. Cosmetics and Personal Care:
    Moisturizers and Lotions: PEG-8000 acchts as a humectant, attracting and retaining moisture in the skin, which helps to keep it hydrated.
    Toothpaste: It is used as a thickening agent to give toothpaste its consistency and to ensure even distribution of the ingredients.
    Hair Care Products: In shampoos and conditioners, PEG-8000 provides a smooth, silky texture and helps to stabilize the formulation.
  3. Food Industry:
    Food Additive: PEG-8000 can be used as an anti-foaming agent, a thickener, or a solvent in various food products. Its usage is regulated, and it must comply with specific safety guidelines.
    Food Packaging: It can be incorporated into food packaging materials to improve flexibility and durability.
  4. Industrial Applications:
    Lubricants: PEG-8000 is used as a lubricant in various industrial processes, including in machinery and molds, due to its non-reactive and non-corrosive properties.
    Plasticizer: In the manufacturing of plastics, PEG-8000 is used as a plasticizer to enhance flexibility and reduce brittleness.
    Adhesives: It acts as a stabilizer and thickener in adhesive formulations, improving their performance and application.
  5. Biotechnology and Research:
    Protein Precipitation: In molecular biology, PEG-8000 is used to precipitate proteins and nucleic acids by reducing their solubility, which helps in purification processes.
    Cell Culture: It is used in cell fusion techniques and as a crowding agent in cell culture, promoting more natural cell environments.
    Cryopreservation: PEG-8000 helps protect cells, proteins, and other biological materials during freezing, reducing the formation of ice crystals.
  6. Agriculture:
    Water Retention: In agricultural applications, PEG-8000 can be added to soil to improve water retention, which is beneficial in arid regions.
    Seed Coating: It is used in seed coatings to control the release of fertilizers and other nutrients, improving germination rates.
  7. Medical Devices:
    Lubricants for Catheters and Tubes: PEG-8000 is used as a lubricant for medical devices like catheters, ensuring smooth insertion and reducing discomfort for patients.
    Hydrogels: It is used in the production of hydrogels for wound care, providing a moist environment that promotes healing.
    These uses highlight the versatility of PEG-8000 across various fields, making it an essential compound in many industries.

Technical Data Sheet PEG-8000

 

TEST STANDARD RESULT Unit Ref
Description practically odortess and tasteless , white ,waxy, plastic material having a consistency similar to beeswax, or as creamy white flakes, beads, or powders Camplies USP43-NF38
Solubility freely soluble in water, soluble in acetone, alcohol, chloroforrn .ethylene glycol monomethyl ether , ethyl acetate, and in toluene; insoluble in ether and in hexane Camplies USP43-NF38
Color of Solution, 5g/50ml of Water Slightly Hazy Slightly Hazy USP43-NF38
Viscosity @98.9 470-900 671.17 Cst USP43-NF38
PH, 5% Solution in Water 4.5-7.5 6.6 USP43-NF38
Residue on ignition Max 0.1 0.05 %wt USP43-NF38
Assayn(Averege Molecular Weight) 7000-9000 796.5 g/mol USP43-NF38
Ethylene Oxide @ 1.4-Dioxane Ethylene Oxide NMT 10.0 0.5 mg/g USP43-NF38
1.4-Dioxane     NMT 10.0 Not Detected USP43-NF38
Residual solvents Defined  as Organic   volatile chemicals Not Used ppm USP43-NF38

 

Polyethylene Glycol 8000

Technical Data Sheet PEG-8000