MCQs on Added Substances: Preservatives, Antioxidants, Solubilizers & More
Prepare with MCQs on added substances like preservatives, antioxidants, solubilizers, suspending agents, buffers, and stabilizers. Understand their roles in pharmaceutics and strengthen your exam readiness.
Preservatives
- What is the primary function of preservatives in pharmaceuticals?
- A) Enhance flavor
- B) Prevent microbial growth
- C) Increase viscosity
- D) Improve color stability
- Answer: B
- Which of the following is a commonly used preservative in oral formulations?
- A) Ascorbic acid
- B) Sodium benzoate
- C) Glycerin
- D) Mineral oil
- Answer: B
- Methylparaben is commonly used as a preservative in:
- A) Injections
- B) Creams and ointments
- C) Gels
- D) Powders
- Answer: B
- Benzoic acid is most effective as a preservative at:
- A) pH below 4.5
- B) pH 7.0
- C) pH above 8.0
- D) Neutral pH
- Answer: A
- Chlorobutanol is used as a preservative in:
- A) Oral solutions
- B) Ophthalmic solutions
- C) Tablets
- D) Capsules
- Answer: B
Antioxidants
- The primary purpose of antioxidants in pharmaceutical products is to:
- A) Increase viscosity
- B) Prevent oxidation
- C) Act as sweeteners
- D) Provide color
- Answer: B
- Which antioxidant is commonly used in aqueous formulations?
- A) Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA)
- B) Ascorbic acid
- C) Glycerin
- D) Talc
- Answer: B
- Sodium bisulfite is used in parenteral preparations as:
- A) A preservative
- B) A sweetener
- C) An antioxidant
- D) A solubilizer
- Answer: C
- What is the primary role of chelating agents like EDTA in formulations?
- A) Enhance solubility
- B) Inhibit microbial growth
- C) Stabilize antioxidants
- D) Improve taste
- Answer: C
- Which antioxidant is suitable for use in oil-based formulations?
- A) Ascorbic acid
- B) Butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT)
- C) Sodium benzoate
- D) Citric acid
- Answer: B
Solubilizers
- Solubilizers are primarily used to:
- A) Increase the stability of a solution
- B) Improve the solubility of hydrophobic drugs
- C) Enhance taste
- D) Act as thickeners
- Answer: B
- Which of the following is commonly used as a solubilizer in oral solutions?
- A) Ethanol
- B) Starch
- C) Talc
- D) Bentonite
- Answer: A
- Glycerin is used as a solubilizer because of its:
- A) Sweet taste
- B) Low viscosity
- C) High solubility in water
- D) Antimicrobial properties
- Answer: C
- Which solubilizer is suitable for parenteral formulations?
- A) Ethanol
- B) Corn oil
- C) Mineral oil
- D) Propylene glycol
- Answer: D
- Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is often used as a:
- A) Sweetener
- B) Solubilizer
- C) Buffer
- D) Preservative
- Answer: B
Suspending Agents
- Suspending agents are added to:
- A) Increase solubility
- B) Stabilize suspensions by increasing viscosity
- C) Act as preservatives
- D) Reduce particle size
- Answer: B
- Which of the following is commonly used as a suspending agent?
- A) Sodium chloride
- B) Xanthan gum
- C) Ascorbic acid
- D) Ethanol
- Answer: B
- Tragacanth is used in suspensions as a:
- A) Buffer
- B) Preservative
- C) Suspending agent
- D) Solubilizer
- Answer: C
- Carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) is classified as a:
- A) Sweetener
- B) Solubilizer
- C) Suspending agent
- D) Antioxidant
- Answer: C
- What is the main function of a suspending agent in a suspension?
- A) Prevent sedimentation
- B) Enhance taste
- C) Stabilize pH
- D) Provide color
- Answer: A
Buffers
- Buffers are added to formulations to:
- A) Enhance flavor
- B) Maintain a stable pH
- C) Increase viscosity
- D) Act as solubilizers
- Answer: B
- Which of the following is a common buffering agent?
- A) Glycerin
- B) Sodium acetate
- C) Talc
- D) Bentonite
- Answer: B
- Buffers are especially important in which type of formulation?
- A) Tablets
- B) Ointments
- C) Ophthalmic solutions
- D) Capsules
- Answer: C
- Citric acid-sodium citrate is commonly used as a buffer in:
- A) Parenteral formulations
- B) Gels
- C) Capsules
- D) Powders
- Answer: A
- Buffers help maintain stability by:
- A) Preventing microbial growth
- B) Stabilizing pH levels
- C) Enhancing solubility
- D) Reducing viscosity
- Answer: B
Stabilizers
- Stabilizers are used to:
- A) Enhance flavor
- B) Prevent degradation of active ingredients
- C) Act as sweeteners
- D) Increase solubility
- Answer: B
- Which of the following acts as a stabilizer in emulsions?
- A) Sodium chloride
- B) Tween 80
- C) Ascorbic acid
- D) Xanthan gum
- Answer: B
- Antioxidants can also function as:
- A) Preservatives
- B) Stabilizers
- C) Solubilizers
- D) Sweeteners
- Answer: B
- Chelating agents like EDTA help to:
- A) Enhance solubility
- B) Stabilize metal ions
- C) Increase viscosity
- D) Provide flavor
- Answer: B
- Which is a commonly used stabilizer in parenteral formulations?
- A) Xanthan gum
- B) Propylene glycol
- C) Sodium bisulfite
- D) Talc
- Answer: C
