Potassium Sorbate
Potassium sorbate is an antimicrobial preservative, with antibacterial and antifungal properties used in pharmaceuticals, foods, enteral preparations, and cosmetics. Generally, it is used at concentrations of 0.1–0.2% in oral and topical formulations, especially those containing nonionic surfactants.
Acetic Acid, Glacial
Glacial and diluted acetic acid solutions are widely used as acidifying agents in a variety of pharmaceutical formulations and food preparations.
Lactic Acid
Lactic acid is used in beverages, foods, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals as an acidifying agent and acidulant. In topical formulations, particularly cosmetics, it is used for its softening and conditioning effect on the skin. Lactic acid may also be used in the production of biodegradable polymers and microspheres.
Adipic Acid
Adipic acid is used as an acidifying and buffering agent in intramuscular, intravenous and vaginal formulations. It is also used in food products as a leavening, pH-controlling, or flavoring agent. Adipic acid has been incorporated into controlled-release formulation matrix tablets to obtain pH-independent release for both weakly basic and weakly acidic drugs.
Sodium Metabisulfite
Sodium metabisulfite is used as an antioxidant in oral, parenteral, and topical pharmaceutical formulations, at concentrations of 0.01–1.0% w/v, and at a concentration of approximately 27% w/v in intramuscular injection preparations. Primarily, sodium metabisulfite is used in acidic preparations.
Aluminum Oxide
Aluminum oxide is used mainly in tablet formulations. It is used for decoloring powders and is particularly widely used in antibiotic formulations. It is also used in suppositories, pessaries, and urethral inserts. Hydrated aluminum oxide is used in mordant dyeing to make lake pigments, in cosmetics, and therapeutically as an antacid.