In this work, starch acetate and propanoate derivatives with moderate degree of substitution were synthesized and characterized for employment as matrix formers for sustained release from tablets. Matrix tablets were prepared from cospray-dried and simple physical mixtures of starch/starch derivatives and theophylline as a model drug. The release was rapid for matrix tablets prepared from simple physical mixtures. On the other hand, tablets prepared from cospray-dried mixtures with starch acetate and starch propanoate showed much slower and extended release. Scanning electron micrographs of tablet surfaces revealed enhanced inter-particulate bonding and plastification for cospray-dried agglomerates in comparison with physical mixtures.
