| Abstract: | Cross‐linked carboxymethyl rice starches (CL‐CMRS) were prepared from reactions between a native Klong Luang 1 (KL1) rice starch and varied concentrations (2.5–15% w/w) of sodium trimetaphosphate (STMP) in simultaneous carboxymethylation and cross‐linking reactions set up using methanol as a solvent. Physicochemical as well as pharmaceutical properties of CL‐CMRS were evaluated in relation to the amount of STMP used and the degree of cross‐linking (DCx). At a low DCx, the viscosity of CMRS solution was enhanced through the formation of cross‐linked polymeric network and chain entanglement. At higher concentrations in the preparation reaction, STMP caused proportional decreases in the water solubility and ≤70‐fold of the solution viscosity, but promoted swelling and water uptake of the modified starches. Rheological behavior of the nonsoluble but swellable CL‐CMRS was similar to that of commercial superdisintegrants sodium starch glycolate (SSG), and cross‐carmellose sodium (CCS). The swelling and water uptake of CL‐CMRS were 5–7 and 6–25 times higher, respectively, than that of the native starch. Disintegration test of tablets containing 1 and 3% w/w of native and modified rice starches showed that M‐KL1‐5 and M‐KL1‐10 could be developed as tablet disintegrants. |
