The Research of Several Natural Edible Materials as a Disintegrant

Abstract

Starch is the only natural disintegrant which is still widely used today. Lentinula edodes (Berkeley) Pegler, Flammulina velutipes (Curt. Fr.) Sing, Auricularia polytricha, Tremella fuciformis, and Pleurotus eryngii are traditional Taiwanese food materials. They contain a lot of fiber and taste deliciously. They were investigated as a novel disintegrant in this study. The tablet contained hydrochlorothiazide, dibasic calcium phosphate, and each new material or starch respectively as the model drug, the bulking agent, and the disintegrant. The tablets were made by direct compression method. The disintegration time of these tablets in pH 1.2 or pH 6.8 medium was measured. The effect of disintegrant concentration on the disintegration time using Tremella fuciformis was studied. The swelling volume and hydration capacity of these materials in pH 1.2 or pH 6.8 medium were also studied to investigate the possible mechanisms of these materials to be used as a disintegrant. The result showed that the disintegration time of tablets containing each milled material (＜ 2 min in most materials) was much less than that of blank tablets (＞ 40 min). The disintegration time of tablets was further decreased if each material was cooked before milling. Especially, the tablets containing cooked Tremella fuciformis (3W) had the least disintegration time and it can be used from one to ten percents. The disintegrating activity of these materials is related to their swelling and water hydration abilities as shown in the swelling volume and hydration capacity studies. Generally speaking their swelling and hydration capacity are better in neutral environment than in acidic environment. The discrepancy between disintegration time and swelling and hydration capacity in pH 1.2 or pH 6.8 medium may be due to the effect of bulking agent.