Vol. 3, Issue 2, Part A (2021)

The purpose of this study was to isolate starches from Potato, Sweet potato and Maize. The presence of starch in these grains varies and thus their use as pharmaceutical excipients will vary to the degree of their starch functionality. The powders obtained were characterized for their particle size, particle size distribution. The physicochemical characterization such as bulk density, tapped density, Carr’s index and Hausner’s ratio were evaluated. Tablet formulated with potato starch are less friable, harder, showed longer time for disintegration and good drug release profile in comparison to tablets formulated with sweet potato, maize. The results obtained showed that among the three starches in relation to their flowability, potato starch possesses the best flow property. The source of starches therefore affects the properties of pharmaceutical dosage forms. This should be taken into consideration in the choice of excipients in drug formulation and before the substitution of one starch for another in a formulation.