Abstract

Today, tablets are one of the most widely used pharmaceutical dosage forms. Both active
pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and inactive ingredients such as disintegrants are found in
pharmaceutical dosage forms. Disintegrants are essential for dissolving the tablet into small
particles and increasing the surface area of the API when it is exposed to gastrointestinal
fluids. As a result, choosing the right type and concentration of disintegrant is often the most
important aspect in determining tablet quality. Effect of Musa acuminata starch
concentration on the disintegrant activity of paracetamol tablets was now researched on.
Starch from unripe banana fruits was extracted with distilled water and 0.05M sodium
hydroxide. Banana starch powder at concentrations of 5, 10 and 15% w/w were used to
formulate paracetamol tablets by direct compression. Starch powder and tablet properties
were evaluated. Increase in concentration of banana starch powder from 5-15% w/w led to a
decrease in disintegration time, weight variation, and an increase in friability. The tablets
formulated from banana starch at all concentration were comparable to tablet properties in
the standard BP 2009. The starch powder pH, true density, bulk density, tapped density,
angle of repose, Hausner’s ratio and Carr’s index were 6.57, 1.51g/ ml, 0.55g/ml, 0.61g/ml,
32.3o, 1.11 and 9.90, respectively. The tablets exhibited disintegration time, weight variation,
thickness, and friability values ranging from 0.55-0.44min, 1.66-0.59%, 4-3.39mm, 0.13-
0.55%, respectively. The tablets met acceptable Pharmacopoeia requirements at starch
concentration studied. Results revealed that banana starch could be used as a disintegrant
in paracetamol tablet formulation due its comparable properties with the standard BP 2009
specifications. Musa acuminata starch when used at concentration of 15% gives optimum
disintegrant activity.