Effect of Soluble Potato Starch on the Pregelatinization Properties of Non‐Conventional Elephant Foot Yam Starch

Abstract In recent years, researchers have been exploring alternative sources of starch for drug delivery. Traditional options like corn, potato, and rice starches have been widely used, but sustainability concerns have prompted the investigation of nonconventional starches. Elephant foot yam starch, derived from an agricultural polymer, has gained popularity due to its wide availability. Starches are fundamentally unsuited for the majority of applications; they must be physically and/or chemically altered to maximize their advantages and/or minimize their drawbacks. Due to the chemical toxicity, starch modification is often done using physical techniques that are inexpensive. This study aims to evaluate the impact of elephant foot yam starch on the physicochemical properties and drug delivery of potato starch. Pregelatinization, a crucial process, is found to increase amylose content and improves starch flow properties, as confirmed by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy analysis showing gelatinization in the mixture. Field emission scanning electron microscopy images reveal complete disruption of the starch granular structure after modification. Tablets made with a mixture of pregelatinized starches exhibit a slower drug release compared to those with pregelatinized starch alone. Notably, inclusion of potato starch in the mixture results in a more sustained drug release. Hence, modified starches have diverse applications for enhancing solubility of poorly soluble drugs.