Starch-based Antioxidants Formulations for Pharmaceutical Purposes

Abstract

Natural antioxidants are attractive compounds for the development of pharmaceutical products, mainly due to their free radical-stabilizing activity. This group of molecules is diverse in terms of structure, type of activity, and physical-chemical properties. Among them, vitamins (for example, C and E), carotenoids, and polyphenols can be mentioned. These compounds can be obtained from different natural sources (fungi, bacteria, algae, and plants), as well as from agro-industrial residues. To formulate different pharmaceutical forms, extracts, isolated compounds, or encapsulated ingredients are used. This chapter focuses on reviewing different types of raw materials to obtain natural antioxidants, extraction and drying processes, dosage forms, and critical quality controls of antioxidant starch-based products. The pharmaceutical relevance of starch as an excipient derives from its natural origin, worldwide availability, relatively low cost, drugcompatibility, and regulatory status. Different types and grades of starch with differentiated physicochemical properties that allow formulating a wide variety of antioxidant products, such as suspensions, powders and microcapsules, granules, tablets, films, and gels, are presented. Complementarily, the characterization of these products is presented. In this way, environmentally friendly techniques and methods are emphasized to showcase insights into sustainable design in the pharmaceutical field.