Physicochemical and release characteristics of acetylated Indian palmyrah retrograded shoot starch

The aim of the present study is to determine the influence of serial modifications, including retrogradation followed by acetylation on morphological, physicochemical and drug release properties of retrograded Indian palmyrah (Borassus flabellifer L.) shoot starch. The acetylated retrograded starches prepared by using different concentrations of acetic anhydride were shown a degree of substitution (DS) in the range of 0.16–0.55. Acetylation of retrograded starch produced significant morphological changes from rough to smooth surface. The amylose content, water holding capacity, swelling and solubility power tend to increase with increase in DS. A strong peak at 1751 and 1032 cm−1 confirms the formation of acetylated retrograded starch. The TGA data reveal that with increase in DS there is an increased thermal stability and decreased bound water of starch. The elemental analysis also confirms the addition of acetyl groups because of increased carbon and hydrogen content. The matrix tablets of acetylated retrograded starch with high DS showed a delayed release in gastric pH and sustained release in simulated intestinal fluid. Overall, this result suggested that acetylated retrograded starch with high DS are thermally stable and can be used for formulating protein and peptide drugs for colon targeting.