Processed starch, process for preparing same and use of same in medicines

Abstract

A processed starch useful as a disintegrant to be incorporated into medicines is provided. The processed starch consists essentially of substantially non-birefringent starch powder which substantially retains the shell film structure of green starch granules. The starch powder has a particle size distribution substantially free of a fraction having a size of 48 Tyler standard sieve mesh or having a larger size, and has a bulk density of at least about 0.25 g/cc, a cold water-soluble component content of less than 10% by weight, a swelling volume of about 3 to about 15 ml/g and a water retention of at least about 2. The processed starch is prepared by a process wherein water and, if necessary, an organic solvent is added to green starch to form a dispersion having a solid a component concentration of not more than 60%; the dispersion is heated to render the green starch granule non-birefringent by swelling the green starch granule without destruction of the shell film structure thereof; and then, the dispersion is dried without destruction of the shell film structure.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.