ISOLATION OF ALOCASIA INDICA LINN. STARCH AND ITS PERFORMANCE AS A DISINTEGRATING AGENT.

Abstract

Starch obtained from Alocasia indica Linn. Tubers (Araceae) was a fine, almost white powder. The isolated starch was evaluated as a disintegrating agent by preparing a placebo tablet formulation at concentrations of 6.0 to 12.0 % w/w in the present study. The limit tests, loss on drying, and ash value were well within the official limits. The starch was also evaluated for various parameters as per Indian Pharmacopoeia. The granules prepared by wet granulation technique were evaluated for bulk and tapped densities and flow properties. Tablet properties including thickness, average weight and weight variation, hardness, friability, and disintegration time were evaluated. The disintegrant efficiency of isolated starch was compared with that of the maize starch in tablets prepared using  lactose , guar gum, maize starch and magnesium stearate as diluent, binder and lubricant respectively. The disintegration time for tablet formulations prepared using 10 % w/w isolated starch was less (109 s) than that of the tablet formulations prepared using maize starch as a disintegrant (129 s).Studies indicates that Alocasia indica Linn. Starch possesses disintegrating property and could be useful in Conventional tablet formulation.