Extraction of Starch from Different Sources: Their Modification and Evaluation of Properties as Pharmaceutical Excipient

Abstract

Starch from potato, maize and cassava was extracted using sodium metabisulphite solution. The percentage yield of starch obtained from all
the sources was found to be quite satisfactory. The pregelatinized starch and carboxymethylated derivative of those starches were prepared.
The pharmaceutical specification properties like solubility, pH, loss on drying (LOD), iron content, oxidizing substance, and microbial
contaminations of the extracted starches, pregelatinised starches and carboxymethylated starches were evaluated as pharmaceutical
excipient according to the British Pharmacopoeia. These finding conclusively suggest the feasibility of extraction and derivatisation of
starch from potato, maize and cassava and their utilization as pharmaceutical excipient as well as in other commercial purposes.