STABILIZATION OF SUSPENSIONS USING SUCROSE ESTERS AND LOW SUBSTITUTEDN-OCTENYLSUCCINATE STARCH-XANTHAN GUM ASSOCIATIONS

The crystal growth inhibition capacity of sucrose esters and n-octenyl succinate starch in comparison with Tween 80 and Tweeen 20 was evaluat ed in suspensions containing paracetamol as a model drug. The sucrose esters performed slightly better in comparison with the sorbitan deriv atives as crystal growth inhibitors. The lowest concentration (0.1% w/ v) of n-octenylsuccinate starch inhibited crystal growth over a 1 year period and was even as effective as the sucrose esters. Only the susp ension prepared with n-octenylsuccinate starch at a concentration abov e 0.2% w/v did not show the presence of large paracetamol crystals sti cking to the glass wall. The association of xanthan gum and n-octenyls uccinate starch showed specific visco-elastic properties and crystal g rowth inhibition and offers new perspectives in the preparation of sus pension formulations.