Authors
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Abdulsalam, G. T.
Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Kaduna State University, Kaduna, Nigeria.
Author
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Isah, A. B.
Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Kaduna State University, Kaduna, Nigeria.
Author
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Bhatia, P. G.
Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.
Author
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Mohammad, B. B.
Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Kaduna State University, Kaduna, Nigeria.
Author
Keywords:
Native acha Starch, maize starch, metronidazole, wet granulation, disintegrants
Abstract
Background: Digitalis exilis (acha) is one of the ancient cereals that are indigenous to West Africa. The
species is the most important of a diverse group of wild and domesticated Digitaria species that are found
in Nigeria where it has been harvested for decades. It’s nutritional value and the critical roles played in food
security were unprecedented. However, despite its exceptional dietary value, Digitalis exilis has received
limited research and development.
Aim: Therefore, this work aimed to study the suitability of acha starch as a disintegrant in metronidazole
tablet formulation.
Methods: Acha starch was extracted from the grains of digitalis exilisand used as disintegrant in
metronidazole tablets formulation at 5% and 10% concentration. The physicochemical properties of the
acha starch and the tablet properties of the tablets produced were analyzed.
Results: The result showed that Acha has a percentage starch yield of 53%. The starch was non-acidic,
satisfactory moisture content (≥20%), excellent flow property and compatible with the drug. Furthermore,
Acha starch concentration at 5% and 10% demonstrated good friability, average weight, crushing strength,
and disintegration time comparable to maize starch.
Conclusion: The study showed that acha starch can be used as a disintegration agent.
Author Biographies
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Abdulsalam, G. T., Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Kaduna State University, Kaduna, Nigeria.
Lecturer in the Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy at Kaduna State University. She served as the principal researcher, focusing on the extraction of starch from Digitalis exilis and its application as a pharmaceutical excipient in solid dosage forms.
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Isah, A. B., Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Kaduna State University, Kaduna, Nigeria.
Academic researcher at Kaduna State University who contributed to the formulation design and the comparative evaluation of the disintegrant efficiency of acha starch against standard corn starch.
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Bhatia, P. G., Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.
Specialist in pharmaceutical technology at Ahmadu Bello University. He provided technical oversight for the compression process
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Mohammad, B. B., Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Kaduna State University, Kaduna, Nigeria.
Researcher at Kaduna State University involved in the physicochemical characterization of the extracted starch and the laboratory testing of tablet disintegration and dissolution rates.
