Development of super disintegrant from tapioca starch

Modified starch derived from native tapioca starch was developed for the purpose of employing as a powerful disintegrant by chemical modification via carboxymethyl substitution and crosslinking by means of phosphate bridge. To establish the utmost disintegrant efficiency of modified tapioca starch (MTS) developed, degree of substitution and crosslinking of MTS have been optimized. Fundamental physical properties commonly related to disintegrant efficiency have been evaluated in comparison to commercial modified starch products, Explotab and Primojel. The bulk MTS powder was tested for water uptake, bulk swelling, hydration capacity, sedimentation volume, cold water soluble fraction and viscosity. The disintegrating action was evaluated in various tablet systems possessing water soluble, water insoluble and hydrophobic property, in order to demonstrate its effectiveness. Influence of process variables in tablet manufacture on its disintegrant property were examined: methods of disintegrant incorporation in formulation, type of granulating solvent, compression force during tabletting, bulk disintegrant powder storage conditions and disintegrating property of tablet containing MTS after aging. MTS developed has shown to have very acceptable properties to be used as highly effective disintegrant which could be categorized in the class of the so-called super disintegrant. Though the fundamental properties i of the MTS are different from other existing products. The difference in such propeties was certainly dependent on the process and conditions of modification and inherent property of the starting starch material used.