NATURAL POLYMER ALTERNATIVES: ASSESSING BANANA POWDER AS A FORMULATION ADDITIVE WITH MUCOADHESIVE APPLICATIONS

Abstract

The search for safe, cost-effective, and biocompatible excipients has fueled interest in natural polymers as alternatives to synthetic formulation additives. Crude banana powder, derived from Musa species, is a rich source of polysaccharides, starch, and dietary fibers, which confer desirable pharmaceutical properties. This study investigates the potential of crude banana powder as a formulation additive and evaluates its mucoadhesive properties in comparison with Carbopol 934P, a widely used synthetic polymer. Standard physicochemical and mucoadhesion tests were conducted to assess swelling behavior, bioadhesive strength, and compatibility. Results demonstrated that banana powder exhibited appreciable mucoadhesive properties due to its polysaccharide-rich structure and hydration capacity, though Carbopol 934P showed higher adhesion under standardized conditions. The study highlights that banana powder offers distinct advantages, including biocompatibility, biodegradability, low toxicity, and accessibility, making it a promising natural excipient for mucoadhesive drug delivery systems.