Comparative Physicochemical Evaluation of Starch Extracted from Pearl millet seeds grown in Sudan as a Pharmaceutical Excipient against Maize and Potato Starch, using Paracetamol as a model drug.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the current study was to compare the physicochemical and disintegrant properties of pearl millet starch with other starches using paracetamol as model drug. METHODOLOGY: Determination of percentage yield, Physicochemical, micrometrics characteristics of starch/granules, drug excipients compatibility studies and evaluation of prepared paracetamol tablets were measured using official techniques. RESULTS: The yield of the millet starch ranged from 30 to 40%. Moisture content 8.77%, pH 5.7, Swelling capacity 1.2, Hydration capacity 1.748, Moisture uptake 11.8%, Amylose 24.6%, with poor flowability and compressibility. No significant difference in hardness, friability% & disintegration times for formulations containing millet starch to that containing potato and maize starch (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: From the study, Millet seeds locally cultivated in Sudan gave a high yield of starch, has same physicochemical properties as maize and potato starch so can be used as an alternative to those starches.