Tableting Performance of Maize and Potato Starches used in Combination as Binder/Disintegrant in Metronidazole Tablet Formulation

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the tableting performance of starches when used in combination either as a disintegrant or binder in tablet formulation.
METHODS: Metronidazole granules were prepared by wet granulation incorporating either maize starch, potato starch or a combination of the two starches as binder or disintegrant at 10 % w/w. The granules were evaluated for their physicochemical properties and compressed into tablets weighing approximately 400 mg following the addition of extragranular excipients. The tablets were kept for 24 h to allow for elastic recovery and the properties of weight, drug content, thickness, tensile strength, friability, disintegration, and dissolution studies were evaluated for each tablet formulation.
RESULTS: The results shows that granule properties did not differ significantly across the formulations irrespective of the type and combination of starches used in the formulation either as binder or disintegrant. However, it was observed that there were slight differences in mean granule size, bulk and tapped densities of granule formulations containing the combined starch as excipients. Tablets prepared using the combined starches as binder had lower tensile strength and disintegration time when compared to other formulations incorporating the individual starches as binders. However, when evaluated as disintegrant, the tablet formulation containing the combined starches produced tablets with relatively lower disintegration time when compared to formulations containing the individual starches as disintegrant.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Hence, the combination of maize and potato starches as excipients in tablet formulation influenced the outcome of granule and tablet properties.