Isolation and Characterization of Colon Targeting Starch from the Non-Conventional Source of Jharkhand, India

Staple foods are generally the conventional sources of starch. The exploration of non-conventional and cheap sources of starch has gained momentum. In the present study, starch from mankanda (Alocaisa macrrorhizos) tubers is isolated by using base, NaOH 0.05%, w/w sodium hydroxide extracted starch (NAS) and acidic (citric acid 0.03%; Citric acid extracted starch (CAS) media and evaluated for its physicochemical, structural, thermal, rheological, and release profile. The %yield of NAS and CAS starch is found to be 8.14% and 7.28%, with neutral pH, high water holding capacity, moisture content, amylose content, low ash values, restricted swelling, and excellent flow. The granules of the starches are irregular, with a diameter ranging from 1.34 to 16.12 & mu;m. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis reveals the combination of type A and B crystal. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) spectra of both starch samples are almost found to be similar in nature. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning colorimetric (DSC) analysis indicate good thermal stability. Both starches exhibit shear thinning behavior. In vitro drug release studies reflect that the extracted native starch from mankanda tubers has an immense potential for the development of sustained release formulations to target the lower gastrointestinal region like the colon by protecting the drug from the physiological environment of the stomach and small intestine.