Comparative Study of the Physicochemical, Drug Loading and Releasing Properties of Cross-linked Cassava, Enset and Potato Starches

Abstract

Cassava, enset and potato starches were modified by cross-linking in solid phase system, using sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) as cross-linking agent, under different microwave powers (90, 220 and 350 W) and reaction times ranging from 1 to 6 min to investigate and compare their physicochemical, drug loading and release properties. The swelling power, water holding capacity, paste clarity, degree of cross-linking (DC) and peak viscosity of the starches varied with starch sources as well as between the cross-linked starches and their native counterparts. Studies on drug loading capacity and encapsulation efficiency showed that cross-linked enset starch loaded higher amount of drug in 0.1 N HCl, 0.9% NaCl and pH 7.4 phosphate buffered saline (PBS) media as compared to cross-linked cassava and potato starches. After 12 h, cross-linked enset starch matrix released about 90% of the model drug, paracetamol, indicating their ability to sustain drug release and their potential to be used as drug-release-sustaining pharmaceutical excipient.

Keywords: cassava starch, enset starch, potato starch, degree of cross-linking, drug release