Effect of thermal and chemical modifications on the mechanical and release properties of paracetamol tablet formulations containing corn, cassava and sweet potato starches as filler-binders

• Main Authors: Mariam Vbamiunomhene Lawal, Michael Ayodele Odeniyi, Oludele Adelanwa Itiola
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2015-07-01
• Series: Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine
• Subjects: Starch modification; Direct compression; Filler-binders; Mechanical and release properties
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2221169115000842

Objective: To investigate the effects of acetylation and pregelatinization of cassava and sweet potato starches on the mechanical and release properties of directly compressed paracetamol tablet formulations in comparison with official corn starch. Methods: The native starches were modified by acetylation and pregelatinization. The tablets were assessed using friability (Fr), crushing strength (Cs), disintegration time (Dt) and dissolution parameters. Results: Starch acetylation produced paracetamol tablets that were stronger and had the best balance of mechanical and disintegration properties, while pregelatinization produced tablets that were more friable but had a better overall strength in relation to disintegration than formulations made from natural starches. Correlations mainly existed between Dt and the dissolution parameters t80, t2 and k1 in the formulations. Conclusions: Modification of the experimental starches improved the mechanical and release properties of directly compressed paracetamol tablet formulations. Thus, they can be developed for use as pharmaceutical excipients in specific formulations.