Wood Products, Corncob, and Cellulose as Tablet Disintegrating Agents

Abstract

A comparative study of certain powdered wood products, corncob, and cellulose has been made for their tablet disintegrating properties. A brief description for preparing the powdered disintegrating agents from the natural products is given. The various disintegrating agents were incorporated into lactose granulations, compressed, and subsequently tested for tablet disintegration time. Powdered corncob was found to be superior to starch and the wood products as a tablet disintegrating agent. The results of the disintegrating action of powdered corncob proved to be reproducible. Powdered redwood bark was as good as starch but not as effective as powdered corncob. The three physically distinctive layers of corncob—chaff, woody substance, and pith—were separated and incorporated in lactose tablets as disintegrating agents. Significant differences were seen among the disintegration times produced by the three layers of corncob. The pith showed superiority over the chaff and woody portion. A series of tests was conducted to study the separate and combination effects of cellulose and starch—the two main constituents of corncob—on tablet disintegration. Cellulose was found to be a better tablet disintegrating agent than starch. The combination of cellulose and starch indicated better results than the separate action of either agent alone. The possible mechanism of action for tablet disintegration is discussed.