Pharmaceutical starch, as an excipient widely used in the pharmaceutical industry, is of undeniable importance. This article provides a detailed introduction to pharmaceutical starch from the aspects of its source, properties, uses, and quality control.

　　Pharmaceutical starch is mainly derived from the grains of maize (corn) plants or the tubers of cassava. Through specific processing techniques, these raw materials are processed into polysaccharide granules, forming what we call pharmaceutical starch. Pharmaceutical starch is usually a white or light yellow powder, odorless and tasteless, and insoluble in cold water or ethanol. However, when heated and dissolved in water, it forms a whitish translucent gel, a characteristic that gives it unique uses in pharmaceutical processes.

　　Pharmaceutical starch plays multiple roles in the pharmaceutical industry. It can be used as an excipient to help in drug shaping, such as in the production of tablets, powders, or capsules. Pharmaceutical starch also has certain adhesive and stabilizing properties, which can protect the active pharmaceutical ingredients, improve drug stability and bioavailability. In addition, pharmaceutical starch can also be used to make disinfectants and sterilization products, showing its broad application potential in the pharmaceutical field.

　　Quality control of pharmaceutical starch is crucial to ensuring its safety and effectiveness. These tests include the detection of acidity, drying loss, ash content, iron salts, sulfur dioxide, and oxidizing substances to ensure the purity, stability, and safety of pharmaceutical starch. At the same time, pharmaceutical starch also needs to undergo microbial limit tests to control the contamination of bacteria, fungi, and E. coli.

　　It is worth noting that pharmaceutical starch and edible starch differ significantly in their uses and quality control. Pharmaceutical starch cannot be consumed directly but must be processed strictly during pharmaceutical manufacturing. In addition, although soluble starch also has some applications in the pharmaceutical field, due to the lack of pharmacopoeial standards, corresponding enterprise quality standards need to be established during its use to ensure its safety and effectiveness.

　　In summary, pharmaceutical starch, as an important excipient in the pharmaceutical industry, requires strict control in terms of its source, properties, uses, and quality control. In the future, with the continuous development and innovation of pharmaceutical technology, the application fields and potential of pharmaceutical starch will be further expanded.