Modified starch is one of the primary raw materials in the pharmaceutical industry owing to its binding, disintegrating and lubricating properties. Starch being a naturally occurring polysaccharide polymeric material, is a storehouse of excess energy and glucose in plants. The pharmaceutical industry uses it as a binder, glidant, disintegrant, diluent and lubricant.
Due to its swelling properties, it has its uses as a disintegrant in tablets. It ensures that the tablets and medicines break down easily and dissolve, enabling the drug to release smoothly. As a diluent, it facilitates the effective blending of raw materials during production.
Starch has proved to be an efficient dry binder in dry granulation techniques where the active ingredient is hygroscopic and it is difficult to dry after wet binding. Since starch is partial cold water soluble, starch functions exceptionally well in manufacturing tablets by wet granulation applications, it performs dual functions of a disintegrant and a binder. In capsule filling processes, starch functions as an effective binder improving the uniformity of the capsule fill and forming a stable capsule plug.
Maize starch was one of the earliest excipients for medicinal dosage due to its non-toxic and non-irritant properties. It is used as an anti-sticking agent in medical products using latex-like surgical gloves, condoms and diaphragms.
Furthermore, it also acts as a source of energy and its intake helps prevent low blood sugar.
Certain cosmetic products also use dry starch powder as a filler.
Source: Pharma Approach |
Bluecraft Agro manufactures and supplies different grade starches to the pharmaceutical industry.
BP/IP Grade Starch
This starch is very useful in the production of tablets due to its inertness, cost-effectiveness and utility as fillers, binders, disintegrants and glidants. Its small particle size ensures a smooth tablet surface.
Sorbitol 70
Sorbitol 70 is water-soluble polyhydric alcohol with high stability, humectant and a sweet taste.
Sodium Starch Glycolate
Amylojel is a potato-based starch used as a dissolution excipient for tablets and capsules. It absorbs water leading to the rapid disintegration of tablets and granules. It has its uses as a disintegrant, suspending, and gelling agent.
BlucidexTM Maltodextrin Powder
Maltodextrin is one of the most preferred starch in the food and pharmaceutical industries. It is a thickening, viscosifying, binding and film-forming agent.