Vol. 5, Issue 1, Part A (2023)

The aim of this study was to assess the binding and disintegrant properties of starch obtained from the corns of cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta) in comparison to that from the tubers of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) in the formulation of diclofenac sodium tablets. The starches were isolated and their physicochemical and physicotechnical properties determined. Proximate analysis was performed to determine moisture, protein, fat, and ash contents of the starches. Granules were prepared by wet granulation up to four batches (Batches C1 and C2 containing both starches in varying proportions while C3 and C4 contains only cocoyam and sweet potato starch) respectively. The isolated cocoyam and sweet potato starches appeared as white powders, with pH of 7.9 and 7.7 and the comparative study depicts swelling capacity of 15. 6% and 4.1%, respectively. The flow rate of the granules formed, was in the range of 9.09 - 9.70g/s and the Hausner’s ratio and Carr’s index were 1.09-1.11 and 8.16 – 10.00 respectively. The compressed tablets for each batch had an average weight of 113.7mg, although the tablets had hardness values within the range 3.8-4 KgF. The percentage losses after the friability test for all batches, was less than 1 and upon assay, the percentage drug content across the batches was within the range of 95-99%. Reference to disintegration, all the tablet batches were not able to disintegrate within 15 minutes and the dissolution profile showed percentage drug release as 51.11%, 47.89%, 44.52% and 37.77% for the batches (C1, C2, C3 and C4) respectively in 60 minutes.