Pharmacophore an International Research Journal
The aim of this study was to produce directly compressible microcrystalline starch by enzymatic hydrolysis of cassava starch obtained from the tubers of Manihot esculenta. The hydrolysis was carried out using α-amylase (Ban 240L) under a suitable temperature and pH (55°c, 6) for 5h. The microcrystalline starch was recovered from the reaction mixture by precipitation using ethanol. The bulk, tapped and true densities were determined. Hausner’s ratio (HR) and Carr’s Index (CI) were also determined. The yield of microcrystalline starch was 83.5% and the bulk, tapped and true densities were found to be 0.66, 0.86 and 1.38g/ml respectively. Hausner’s ratio and Carr’s index gave 1.3 and 23% respectively. The dilution potential of this modified starch was determined using ascorbic acid and metronidazole and was found to be 40:60 (40% drug: 60% filler-binder). These physical properties were compared with those of microcrystalline cellulose which was used as a basis for comparison. The physicochemical properties of this modified starch form a basis for the development of model tablet formula for directly compressed ascorbic acid and metronidazole tablets.
