Characterization of enset starch and its use as a binder and disintegrant for tablets

A range of physico-chemical properties, the binding and disintegrating abilities of both enset starch (derived from Ethiopian plant Ensete ventricosum) and potato starch have been investigated. Enset starch has been found to have similar particle size distribution, amylose content and moisture sorption property to that of potato starch, but the shape of the starch grains and the viscosity of the starch mucilage were found to be different. Formulation studies have been conducted on lactose monohydrate, paracetamol and dicalcium phosphate dihydrate tablets containing enset starch as a binder and disintegrant. Tablet crushing strengths, friabilities, desintegration times and porosities have been measured and these have been compared with the values of tablets made with potato starch. The results show that enset starch has a better binding ability than potato starch giving tablets of lower porosity. Its disintegrating efficiency depended on the formulations and is comparable to that of potato starch. The amount of starch, the level of compression force and the rate of water uptake by the tablets influenced the disintegration time of tablets prepared from both starches. When used as a disintegrant, the moisture content of starch appeared to influence the strength and the porosity of the tablets