A Comparative evaluation of starch powder extracted from breadfruit (Artocarpus communis, Frost) as tablet disintegrant was made with corn starch BP using a 2 Γ 4 factorial experiment in a randomized complete block design. Two factors (type of starch: 2 i.e. breadfruit and corn) at four levels (concentrations of starch disintegrant: 4 i.e. 2.5%, 5%, 7.5% and 10%) were studied. One (1) kilogram batches of paracetamol granules containing various concentrations of endo-disintegrant or exo-disintegrant were prepared by the wet granulation method in a combined mixergranulator, using polyvinyl pyrrolidone solution as binder. Tablets were tested for disintegration, dissolution and physical qualities following the British Pharmacopoeia (BP) compendial procedures.
At the compression force of 1 tonne, corresponding to average packing fraction of 0.92, all formulations containing breadfruit and corn starch exo-disintegrants passed the official disintegration time limit of β€ 15 min and quantity dissolved (Q 30 ) of β₯ 80% in 30 min. As endo-disintegrant however, only corn starch at 5% and 10% w/w and breadfruit at 10% passed the BP limit test. Generally, the rank order of effectiveness of disintegrant was Corn exo β Breadfruit exo N Corn endo N Breadfruit endo . The observed concentration-dependent difference in disintegrant effectiveness is ascribed to the differences in their hydration capacity and effective tablet porosity. Contrary to faster disintegration suggested by its higher hydration capacity, breadfruit starch formulations showed longer disintegration time than corn, attributable to the higher density of breadfruit formulations which appears to retard entry of disintegration fluid into the tablet. However, the dissolution profiles (Q 30 ) were comparable ( p N 0.05).
Breadfruit starch powder appears to be a suitable substitute for official corn starch only as exo-disintegrant in paracetamol tablet formulation. In that form, it not only produced rapid tablet break-up and drug dissolution, it also improved tablet crushing strength.