Influence of some starch binders on the brittle fracture tendency of paracetamol tablets

Abstract

The study was carried out to compare the binder effects of cassava and cocoyam starch with that of maize starch BP. The parameters investigated were the brittle fracture index (BFI), the tablet packing fraction (Pf), and tensile strength (T). Mucilages of the starches of varying concentrations; 15, 20, and 25% (w/v) were formed; their viscosities were determined and used to form paracetamol granules by wet-massing. The granules were compressed at different compression loads (arbitrary units on the load scale; 8, 9 and 9.5). At all given compression loads and at all binder concentration, cassava starch mucilages binder produced the hardest and most compact tablets with the least tendency to brittle fracture compared with cocoyam or maize starch mucilage. For instance, the BFI values at the compression load, 8 were 0.13 (tablets formed with cassava starch mucilage 20% w/v) 0.18 (tablets formed with cocoyam starch mucilage 20% w/v) and 0.35 (tablets formed with maize starch mucilage 20% w/v). Increase in compression load (8 to 9.5) increased the BFI of these tablets while an increase in binder concentration generally caused a decrease in BFI of these tablets. This decrease was less marked at higher compression load. The results indicate that cassava starch mucilage which was the most viscous, displayed the highest potential for ameliorating brittle fracture during manufacture of paracetamol tablets. Key words: Cassava, cocoyam, maize starch, binder effect, tensile strength, brittle fracture index, tableting.