Agglomeration of native tapioca starch using sodium alginate for use in tablets

Abstract

The agglomeration approach was used to physically modify native tapioca starch (TS) for use in tablets. Sodium alginate (SA) was employed as an agglomerating agent, utilizing various viscosity grades and contents. An increase in the agglomerate size caused a decrease in Carr's index and repose angle, resulting in a good level of particle flowability. The agglomerate strength was enhanced by increasing the SA content and increasing the SA viscosity grade. Increasing the compression pressure directly correlated with an increase in the hardness of the agglomerate tablets. The hardness of the tablets was influenced by SA content and viscosity grade. The SA viscosity grade had an impact on drug release from tablets in an acidic medium. The agglomerates containing 2 % SA exhibited a satisfactory carrying capacity, and the tablets still achieved a desirable quality when using drug loading less than 30 % w/w. The tablets demonstrated a sustained-release pattern in both acidic and neutral media, and the release rate was influenced by drug loading. This study suggests that native TS agglomerates prepared using SA can be used as diluents for tablet preparation, and drug release can be modified by incorporating a high content of agglomerates into tablets.