Preformulation Studies Of Cyperus Esculentus Starch Used As Disintegrant And As Binder In The Production Of Paracetamol Tablets

ABSTRACT

Starch is a naturally occurring polymer found in parts of the plants such as

leaves, stems, tubers, and fruits. It is a commonly used excipient in

pharmaceutical formulations because of its availability, affordability and

inertness. Cyperus esculentus (tiger nut) is widely cultivated in the country

especially in the northern part of Nigeria. Until recently, the use of tiger nut had

been limited to food products and few pharmaceutical applications. This

research is aimed at characterizing the starch isolated from Cyperus esculentus

tubers, ascertaining its use as a binder and disintegrant in paracetamol tablet

formulations, and to compare it with corn starch BP. Cyperus esculentus tubers,

paracetamol powder, corn starch, gelatin, talc, magnesium stearate, and sodium

benzoate were used for the study. Starch was isolated from Cyperus esculentus

tubers. Physicochemical tests such as determination of densities, viscosity, pH,

ash value, loss on drying, paste clarity, freeze thaw stability, browning and

charring temperatures were done on the starch. Wet granulation method of

tablet formulation was used to prepare paracetamol granules. The granules

produced were characterized and then compressed into tablets. The formulated

tablets were evaluated for various tablet properties such as hardness, thickness,

friability, weight variation, disintegration time, dissolution rate as quality

control measures. The physicochemical properties of starch from Cyperus

esculentus were found to conform to BP standards for pharmaceutical grade

starch. Results obtained from micromeritic studies such as angle of repose of

58.74 o, compressibility index of 16.0 % and Hausner’s quotient of 1.19

revealed that Cyperus esculentus is a poorly flowing powder. Paracetamol

granules produced had good flowability as shown by angle of repose being

< 50 o, Hausner’s quotient of