Mintage Journal of Pharmaceutical and Medical Sciences (ISSN: 2320-3315)

Author(s): GIDEON O. OKPANACHI*1, HASSAN MUSA2AND ADAMU B. ISAH

Objective:This research work was aimed at determining the compression behavior of Digitaria iburua starch (DS) and acid hydrolyzed starch (MCS) using gelatin (GEL) as a standard  compressible  excipient. Methods:DS  was  extracted  from  the grains  and  then acid  hydrolyzed  to  produce  MCS. The  particle  density  of  DS,  MCS and  GEL  were determined.  Compacts  (500  mg)  of  DS,  MCS  and  GEL  were  produced  by  compressing  the  powder  at  various  pre-determinedpressures  (56.625-311.438  MNm-2).  The compression properties of the compacts were evaluated using the Heckel equation. Results:The Heckel plots for DS, MCS and GEL possessed nonlinear curves at the lower and higher pressures and linear curves in between. The mean yield pressure (PY) was high which is indicative of higher resistance against plastic deformation. Modification of DS to MCS increased PYfor deformation with corresponding decline in onset of deformation and lesser total deformation. The PY, the relative density at zero pressure (DO) and  the  total deformation occurring  in  the  powder  (DA)  values  ranked  in  the  following order;  GEL>MCS>DS.  The  fragmentation  tendency  of  the powder  (DB)  ranked in  this order; MCS>GEL>DS. Conclusion:DS and MCS fragmented on compaction. DS and MCS are not suitable direct compressible excipient