The objective of the present study was to isolate and evaluate the morphological, physicochemical and drug release properties of starch from the rhizome of Indian Palo (Curcuma angustifolia Roxb.). Morphological study revealed that the shape of the isolated starch varied from oval to elliptical. Isolated starch showed high water-holding capacity. Mineral content and Ash value were found to be very low. Amylose content was found to be 12.12 ± 0.01%. FTIR data confirmed polysaccharide nature of the starch. Swelling and solubility was found to be increase with an increase in the temperature. Initially, paste clarity was high, and gradually it decreased with the increase of storage time. TGA showed that the starch is thermally stable up to 250 °C. In-vitro release study revealed that the starch retarded the release of drug in the acidic pH of the stomach; therefore, it can be used as an excipient in a sustained-release formulation.
Keywords: Indian palo; Release retardant; Rhizome; Starch.
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