Formulation Of Metronidazole Tablets Using Hydroxypropylated White Yam (Dioscorea Rotundata) Starch As The Binding Agent

ABSTRACT

White yam starch obtained from the tubers of Dioscorea rotundata Poir was modified by hydroxypropylation

and used as a binding agent in a metronidazole tablet formulation and compared with corn starch BP. The

quantitative effects of the novel starch binder on the mechanical (tensile strength and friability) and release

properties (disintegration and dissolution times) of the metronidazole tablet was analyzed using a full 23

factorial experimental design. The individual and interaction effects of type of starch binder (X1),

concentration of binder (X2) and relative density (X3) on tensile strength, friability, disintegration time and

dissolution time (t90) were determined. The ranking of the coefficients was X3 > X2 > X1 on T, X1 > X3 > X2

on F and X3 > X1 > X2 on DT and t90 (time for 90% drug release) indicating that the formulation variables

influence the properties of metronidazole tablets to varying degrees. This indicates that the type and

concentration of starch binder as well as the compression pressure employed in table formulation need to be

carefully selected to obtain tablets with the desired mechanical and drug release properties. Hydroxypropyl

white yam starch could be more useful as a binder especially when tablets require high mechanical strength

and faster drug release are desired.

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