Preparation and Characterization of Starch Microparticle for Drug Release Systems

Abstract

This work was designed to produce starch microparticles that would be used as controlled drug released carriers. Crosslinked and non-crosslinked starch microparticles were prepared by the water-in-oil emulsion solvent diffusion method. Sodium trimetaphosphate and methylene blue were used as the crosslinking and the water-soluble drug model respectively. Crosslinked and non-crosslinked starch microparticles were characterized by their micromeritic properties (size, density and angle of repose) and liquid uptake ability. From the results both the crosslinked and non-cross-linked starch microparticle demonstrated size homogeneity of 500-1000µm with % swellabilty of 28.57% which was highest in the non-crosslinked starch microparticles while the crosslinked starch microparticles gave a percentage swellability of 25%. Crosslinking can be said to reduce percentage swellabilty. The results from the angle of repose indicated that the powders of the crosslinked starch     microparticles which has angle of repose of 24.90° had an excellent flow property while the non-crosslinked starch microparticles which has angle of repose of 33.70° had a good flow property.