[The use of cassava starch in the formulation of gelatin capsules]

Cassava, corn and potato starch were, after storage at various conditions of temperature and relative humidity, mixed with a model drug phenacetin. The powder mixtures were filled into hard gelatin capsules. The powder beds containing 20% and 50% starch do not disintegrate within 2 hours. The shortest disintegration time was observed for the mixture containing 80% potato starch. The dissolution rate of phenacetin depends on the porosity of the powder bed filled and the kind of starch used. Potato starch improves the availability of the drug. The disintegration action of corn and cassava starch are almost identical.