Products
Potato starch is used as an excipient in medicines, especially in tablets. It is also known as potato flour.
Structure and properties
Potato starch is obtained from the tubers of the potato L.. It exists as a very fine, white powder that crunches between the fingers when rubbed. Potato starch is practically insoluble in cold water. It may not contain starch granules of any other origin. It is a polymeric carbohydrate (a polysaccharide) composed of glucose units.
Effects
Potato starch has swelling, disintegrating, and sticking properties.
Fields of application
Potato starch is a pharmaceutical excipient found mainly in tablets and used as a binder (also for granulation), disintegrant and diluent or bulking agent. Used as an additive in numerous foods.