The Binding Property of Pregelatinized Cocoyam Starch on Paracetamol Tablets

The binding properties of pregelatinized cocoyam starch were investigated. The starch was extracted (using water maceration method) from the corms of xanthosoma sagittifolium obtained from faringada market in plateau state, Nigeria. The cocoyam obtained was divided into two equal portions; one of the portions was pregelatinized while the other was not and then, used separately as a binder in paracetamol granules and tablets formulations.

The tablets were produced by wet granulation method. The properties of the granules evaluated included; Flow Rate, Angle of Repose, Bulk and Tapped Densities, Hausner Ratio and Carr’s compressibility. Tablet properties evaluated included; uniformity of thickness and diameter, weight uniformity, disintegration time, dissolution profiles and friability test. The flow properties of these twelve batches were compared and the results indicate that the twelve batches have excellent flow properties.

The tablets produced from the granules of the twelve batches of paracetamol were found to have good physical appearance, hardness value and low disintegrating time.