Evaluation of the Disintegrant Properties of Native Starches of Five New Cassava Varieties in Paracetamol Tablet Formulations

The disintegrant potential of native starches of five new cassava ( Manihot esculenta Crantz.) varieties developed by the Crops Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG) was studied in paracetamol tablet formulations. The yield of the starches ranged from 8.0 to 26.7%. The starches were basic (pH: 8.1–9.9), with satisfactory moisture content (≤15%), swelling capacity (≥20%), ash values (<1%), flow properties, and negligible toxic metal ion content, and compatible with the drug. The tensile strength ( T s ), crushing strength ( C s ), and friability ( F t ) of tablets containing 5–10% w/w of the cassava starches were similar ( p > 0.05) to those containing maize starch BP. The disintegration times of the tablets decreased with increase in concentration of the cassava starches. The tablets passed the disintegration test ( D T ≤ 15 min) and exhibited faster disintegration times ( p > 0.05) than those containing maize starch BP. The disintegration efficiency ratio (DER) and the disintegration parameter DER c of the tablets showed that cassava starches V20, V40, and V50 had better disintegrant activity than maize starch BP. The tablets passed the dissolution test for immediate release tablets (≥70% release in 45 min) with dissolution rates similar to those containing maize starch BP.