Studies On Some Physicochemical Properties of Native and Modified Starches From Digitaria Iburua and Zea Mays
Studies On Some Physicochemical Properties of Native and Modified Starches From Digitaria Iburua and Zea Mays
Studies On Some Physicochemical Properties of Native and Modified Starches From Digitaria Iburua and Zea Mays
Research Article
STUDIES ON SOME PHYSICOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF NATIVE AND MODIFIED STARCHES
FROM DIGITARIA IBURUA AND ZEA MAYS
H.MUSA, A. GAMBO AND P.G.BHATIA
Department of Pharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
Received: 22 May 2010, Revised and Accepted: 25 Oct 2010
ABSTRACT
This study aims at evaluating a tablet excipient from local source Digitaria iburua starch which is used locally as food because of its high
carbohydrate content, it was thought that the starch from Digitaria iburua may serve as a tablet excipient. The Physico‐chemical properties of
starches from Digitaria iburua starch and Zea mays and potentials as pharmaceutical excipients were evaluated and compared..Digitaria iburua
starch was extracted for this study by steeping the grains in water and wet‐milled after 24hours.0.1N sodium hydroxide solution was added to the
sieved starch. The starch was dried in the oven at 48 oC. Zea mays (.Maize stach B.P) was used as a reference standard for comparism. The percentage
yield for starch from Digitaria iburua crop was found to be 62.21% while the yield for the modified starch was 73.18% .
The results showed that Digitaria iburua starch and maize starch BP have almost similar , Carrs index, moisture content, true density, tapped
density, bulk density, Hausner ratio, swelling power and mean particle size, However, Zea mays starch showed superiority in some properties such
as moisture sorption capacity and Angle of repose. The photomicroscopy shows that Digitaria iburua starch has predominantly polygonal with
occasional spherical or oblong granules with occasional striation especially with the spherical granules. The study revealed smilarity and some
differences in physico‐chemical properties between the starches. However, the starch met the basic requirements for pharmaceutical use and
application.
Keywords: Evaluation, Starch, Excipient, Digitaria iburua, Physico‐chemical, Zea mays.
INTRODUCTION Nasipuri ,(1979) 7 also evaluated cocoyam starch (Colocasia
esculenta) as binder and disintegrant and found that the product is
Starch is one of the earliest excipients to be used for pharmaceutical as suitable as potato starch.
dosage forms. Depending on the application, starch acts as a diluent,
disintegrating agent or binder. Starches are the major Opakunle et al (1978) 9 investigated yam (Diascorea rotundata) and
polysaccharide food reserve of seeds,stems and roots of plants,with cassava (Manihot utilissima) starches as diluents and glidants, they
definite chemical structures and composition.The starch polymer found out these suitable for those purposes.
consists of D‐g lucose units linked together through –(1 4) bonds to
form a linear component called amylase and in addition –(1 6) Esezebo and Ambujam (1986)10 evaluated plantain (Musa paradisiaca)
branch points.The branched form of amylase is called amylo‐ starch as tablet binder and disintegrant with maize starch as standard.
pectin.Amylose and amylopectin are the major chemical components They concluded that plantain starch has twice the binding properties
of starch granules.Generally,amyloses have good structural of maize starch and half the disintegrant property.
properties because they pack closely ro form strong,rigid and Iwuagwu et al (1986)11 studied African bitter yam (Diascorea
insoluble material unlike amylopectins which are readily soluble in dumetarum) and White yam (Diascorea rotundata) starches for their
aqueous systems,thus giving good thickening properties 1The binding and disintegrating properties vis‐à‐vis potato starch and
proportion of amylase in starch depends on its botanical source and found that white yam tuber starch have stronger binding property
this may vary from 10% to 30% 2.Starches with low amylose content than potato and African bitter yam. However the disintegrant
was found have better pharmaceutical uses. 3 properties were similar.
Starch in its pure form is a white,amorphous,relatively tasteless
Deshpande et al (1987)12 studied the binding and disintegrating
solid,odourless and insoluble in cold water and in organic solvents
properties of starch extracted from sorghum (S. bicolor) and found
such as ethanol,ether and acetone.Starch is hygroscopic and absorbs
that it was as good as maize starch.
water when equilibrated under normal atmospheric condition until
the amount present is 10‐17%4,5 Official starches available Muazu (2010)13 evaluated the glidant properties of fonio (Digitaria
recommended by British Pharmacopocia 2002 6 for pharmaceutical exilis ) starch and concluded that it can be used as glidant in tabletting.
industries are:‐
Akande (1988) 4 investigated pearl millet starch as tablet binder and
• Maize starch obtained from caryopsis of zea mays L. disintegrant using maize starch as standard. He concluded that
• Rice starch obtained from caryopsis of oryza sativa L. millet starch can be use as both binder and disintegrant.
• Wheat starch obtained from caryopsis of triticum aestivum,
L(T.vulgare) Garr (1988) 14 found sorghum starch as useful as maize starch, in
• Potato starch obtained from tuber of solanum tuberosum L. respect of binding and disintegrating characteristics.
• Tapioca starch obtained from mainhot utilissima. Kunle (1988) 5 studied the effect of some local starches (fresh yam
To proffer solution to the importation of starch for tabletting, tuber, cassava and cocoyam) on the properties of granules and tablet
researchers have evaluated local starches for use as pharmaceutical formulation and concluded that these are adequate as binders and
excipients. disintegrants.
Nasipuri ,(1975) evaluated cassava starch (Manihot utilissima) as a Many local starches have been studied extensively but no work
tablet binder and disintegrant and found out that to be as efficient as seems to have been reported on Digitaria iburuadespite its
potato starch. abundance in Nigeria especially Northern Nigeria.
Yam starch (Diascorea rotundata) was also evaluated by Nasipuri Digitairia iburua is also called Black Fonio. And it is grown in
,(1979)8 as pharmaceutical binder and disintegrant and he found out Northern Nigeria States‐Zaria ,the Jos‐Bauchi‐Plateau regions of
that the starch so obtained was suitable as a binder and disintegrant. Nigeria as well As the Northern regions of Togo and Benin 15, 16
Musa et al.
Int J Pharm Pharm Sci, Vol 3, Issue1, 2831
The objective of this study is to conduct a physico‐chemical studies Determination of starch hygroscopicity
on the Native and Modified starches obtained from Digitaria iburua
grains so as to investigate on their suitability for use as a A 2g of starch poured in an evaporating dish was exposed to
pharmaceutical excipient compared to standard pharmaceutical atmospheric condition by placing in open space and left for 24 hours
excipient maize(Zea mays) starch B.P observed every 6 hours. The final weight of starch was recorded and
percentage lost was recorded.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Determination of moisture content of starch
Digitaria iburua grains was obtained from Sabon Gari market in
Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria. Paracetamol (May and Baker (Nigeria), A 3g of starch was weighed into an evaporating dish and placed in an
Maize starch and Talc ( B.D.H. Laboratories, U.K) and magnesium oven set at 105ºC. The starch was weighed periodically until
stearate Hopkin and Williams, U.K.). They were all utilized as constant weight was attained. The test was repeated and the mean
obtained. of the three recorded using the formula
METHODS MC = W0 – W1 / W0………………. (2)
Extraction of starch fromDigitaria iburua grains Where MC is the moisture content and w0, w1 are initial and final
weights of the starch.The same procedure was done for PGS and
Digitaria iburua grain was thoroughly washed and all foreign Maize starch powders.
material removed. The washed seeds were allowed to steep in water
for about 24 hours; the steeped grains were crushed using a blender Microscopic examination of starch
(Philips Cucina HR 1757, Japan). Enough quantity of water was Small quantity of starch in glycerol was mounted on a microscope. The
added to the pulp which was then passed through a 180μm sieve. size of starch particles was measured; their shape was also observed.
The starch as a residue was collected allowed settling and 0.1N
sodium hydroxide was added to separate the starch and protein Determination of flow properties of starch
materials as well as to neutralize the slight acidity. Excess sodium
hydroxide was removed by washing several times with distilled Angle of repose: A funnel was mounted on a laboratory stand at a
water. height of 10cm from the table‐top. 50g of Digitaria iburua starch was
poured into the funnel with the tip closed. The tip‐plug was removed
The clear supernatant fluid was poured away while sedimented and the starch was allowed to flow, the height and diameter of the
starch was collected on a tray and air‐dried on a table. Using pestle starch heap were measured. Same was done for maize starch and
and mortar the dried starch lumps were ground and the fine powder PGS. The angle of repose, θ, is given by the following equation:
passed through a sieve (180µm).
θ = tan‐1(h/r)…………………………..(3)
Preparation of modified/ Pregelatinised Digitaria iburua
starch(pgs) Where h is height of conical powder heap and r is the radius of the
circular base
A 400g of Digitaria iburua starch powder was weighted and put in a
beaker.A small quantity of cold water was added to make it into a Flow rate: using Erweka Flow tester, 50g each, of the individual
paste.Boiled water was then added to make up to 5liters and the starches respectively were allowed to pass through its orifice and
beaker was then put on a hot plate with continuous stirring until a the time taken was recorded. Mean of three readings was taken as
translucent paste was formed .The paste was poured on a tray and the flow rate of the starches.
dried in an oven at 400c to obtain a dried pregelatinised starch.
Determination of Starch density
Determination of percentage yield
Bulk density: 20g each, of individual starches or granules
The percentage yield of Digitaria iburua was determined from the respectively were poured through a short‐stemmed glass funnel into
weight of grains used which was noted as W0 and the final starch a 200ml graduated glass cylinder and the volume occupied by the
obtained from the procedure noted as W1. For the pregelitinised starch/granules was read and the bulk density calculated.
starch, quantities of D.iburua powder before and after
pregelitinisation were noted as W0 and W1 respectively. Percentage
Bulk density (4)
yield X was then calculated as
Y = W0 – W1/W0 X 100 ……………….. (1) Tapped density: Graduated cylinder containing 50g Digitaria
Solubility test: A 1g of Digitaria iburua starch was weighed and iburua starch powder was dropped on a bench 50 times from a
poured into a beaker containing 1ml, 2ml, 10ml, 1L and 10L distilled height of about 20mm and the respective volumes recorded. Same
water at 25°C and was stirred, and the solubility was observed. Same was done for maize starch and PGS powder and the tapped densities
procedure was repeated using 65% alcohol as a solvent. The was then calculated in g/ml
procedures were repeated for pregelitinised starch and maize starch. Carr’s Index: The difference between the tapped and bulk density
Iodine test: Using BP (2002) starch identification test, 1g of starch divided by the tapped density was calculated and ratio expressed as
was boiled with 15ml of water and allowed to cool. A few drops of a percentage.
0.1N Iodine solution were added to 1ml of the mucilage and the
Hausner ratio: (i.e. the ratio of tapped density to bulk density) was
colour changes recorded. calculated for all the starches.
Acidity test: A 10g of Digitaria iburua starch was added to 96%v/v Determination of Starch true density: The specific gravity bottled
alcohol which was previously neutralized using 2 drops
method was adopted, and xylene was used as displacement fluid.
phenolphthalein solution as indicator. The mixture was shaken for
The bottle was cleaned and filled with xylene, all spilled over liquid
an hour using an automated beaker shaker, filtered and 50ml of the
(xylene) was wiped off with an absorbent cloth. The weight of the
filtrate titrated with 0.1N NaOH solution. And the quantity recorded.
bottle filled with xylene was noted as (a), the bottle was emptied and
Same was done for Maize starch and PGS.
cleaned, 2g of starch was weighed into the specific gravity bottle, the
Determination of pH: 10g of Digitaria iburua starch was weighed into weight of the starch powder was noted as (w). The specific gravity
15ml distilled water and was properly mixed. The mixture was bottle containing the starch was almost filled with xylene, stirred
poured into boiling distilled water to make up 100ml of slurry. The with glass rod and allowed to stand for 10 minutes for air bubbles to
slurry was allowed to cool. Using a pH meter (kent EIL 7055), the be released. The bottle was then carefully filled with xylene and the
pH of the slurry was measured. Same was done for Maize starch and final weight of the bottle was noted as (b). starch true density was
PGS. the calculated as:
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Int J Pharm Pharm Sci, Vol 3, Issue1, 2831
ℓ = w/[(a+w)‐b]S ………………….(5) Sieve analysis of starch powders
Where ℓ is the particle density of starch and S is the specific gravity A 50g of the powders was weighted and put in the uppermost
of xylene = 0.86 sieve of a set of sieves arranged in decreasing sizes. The sieves
were then mounted on a sieve shaker and shaken for 10mins.The
Determination of swelling power powder retained on each sieve after 10mins was measured and
Granules were prepared from extracted Digitaria iburua starch, recorded.
pregelitinised starch and maize starch using water as solvent. The RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
wet mass was passed through 1.7mm wire mesh, which was then
dried in an oven at 40ºC. With a 12.5mm punch and die set, the Table 1: Shows the percentage yield of starches obtained from
granules were compressed into tablets. Weight and dimension of Digitaria iburua grains and Digitaria iburua starch
tablet were recorded. Two tablets each were placed in a desiccator
at 98% relative humidity at room temperature for five days. The Material Percentage yield
weight and volume of the two tablets were recorded after five days. Digitaria iburua (Native)starch 62.20%w/w
The difference between the initial and final volume was calculated Pregelitinised (Modified)starch 73.18%w/w
and expressed as a percentage swelling power of the starches. The
The percentage yield of starch obtained from the grains of Digitaria
procedure was repeated and the mean of the two was taken as the
iburua not as much as the yield obtained when Digitaria iburua
swelling power. The swelling power, S, is
starch was pregelatinised/Modified..
S = V0 ‐ V1…/ V0………………………………………….. (6)
Table 2: Comparism of result of identification tests of D.iburua,
Where v0, v1 are respective initial and final volumes of the tablet PGS and maize starch BP
Table 3: physicochemical parameters of Native and Modified Digitaria iburua starch powders compared to Maize starch B.P. powder
Physicochem.ical parameters Digitaria iburua /Native starch Pregelitinised /Modified starch Maize(Zea mays) Starch B.P
Flow rate (g/sec) 5.93 5.07 5.40
Angle of Repose(°) 25.60 21.30 35.96
Carr's Index (%) 24.4 17.8 31.60
Moisture content (%w/w) 11.33 11.75 12.10
True Density (g/ml) 2.08 1.50 1.48
Tapped Density (g/ml) 0.59 0.86 0.76
Bulk Density (g/ml) 0.44 0.71 0.52
Moisture Sorption (%) 10.5 8.00 14.84
Swelling Power (%) 22.50 21.03 21.07
Hausner ratio 1.34 1.22 1.46
The flow rate, true density and swelling power of Digitaria iburua starch powder analysed was higher than PGS and Maize starch B.P
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Musa et al.
Int J Pharm Pharm Sci, Vol 3, Issue1, 2831
These gives an idea of how well the starch powders will compress to 5. Kunle, O.O., The effects of some local starches on the properties
make a tablet since the smaller the particle size, the more the of granules and tablets. MSc Thesis (1988) submitted to
resistance to flowing powders; this is because of adhesion between Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.
the powders 18. 6. British Pharmacopocia (2002) Vol. I and II Her Majesty’s
Stationery Office, University Press Cambridge.
Also both the Carr’s index and Hausner ratio tells the percentage 7. Nasipuri, R.N. (1975) Evaluation of cassava starch as tablet
compressibility of a starch powder. Both the Carr’s index and binder and disintegrant”.
Hausner ratio have a similar pattern of PGS<D.I <MS. 8. Nasipuri, R.N. (1979a). “Evaluation of yam starch as tablet
binder and disintegrant”. Nig. J. Pharm. 10: 162
The moisture content of the starch powders ranks in the order 9. Opakunle W.O. and Jaiyeoba, K.T. (1978) .The glidant
MS>PGS>DI. This ranking could imply that the particle of DI starch properties of yam and cassava starches .Manuf.Chem.Aero
may have smaller pore sizes which traps lesser amounts of water News,49(6): 77.
resulting to the least moisture content. Swelling Power is a 10. Esezobo, S(1986)., Evaluation of Sweet Potato Starch as binder
parameter that is analysed in theory of disintegration which must be and disintegrant for paracetamol tablet. Nig. Journal of Pharm.
preceded by water penetration. The swelling power ranks in the Scie. Vol. 2 No 2 pp 44 – 51
order DI>MS>PGS. The high swelling power of DI will give good 11. Iwuagwu, M.A. et al., Investigations into the binding and
disintegrating properties. The moisture sorption is a parameter for disintegrant properties of Starches from selected
indicating how sensitive a starch powder is to atmospheric moisture Dioscoreaceae plants. Nig. Journal of Pharm. Scie. (1986) Vol. 2
which also indicate its physical stability when formulated into tablet. No 2 pp10 – 22.
The moisture sorption ranks in order MS>DI>PGS. The least value 12. Deshpande, A. V. Panya, L.B. ( 1987).“Sorgum Starch as a tablet
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CONCLUSION Glidant Property Of Fonio Starch, Research Journal Of
Sciences, Engineering and Technology 2(2); 149‐152X
From the studies conducted it was observed that both Native and 14. Garr, J. S. M. and Bangudu, A. B., Evaluation of Sorghum
Pregelatinised form of Digitaria iburua Starch compared well to Starch as a tablet excipient. Drug Dev. Ind. Pharm (1991) 17 (1)
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