Sodium Starch Glycolate
Sodium Starch Glycolate (SSG) is a white to off-white, odorless, tasteless powder derived from potato or maize starch and chemically modified with carboxymethylation and cross-linking. It has the chemical formula (C₆H₁₀O₅)nNa and is widely used in solid dosage pharmaceutical formulations as a superdisintegrant. This 25kg grade is supplied in high-purity pharmaceutical and food-grade quality, offering excellent swelling capacity and rapid disintegration properties even at low concentrations.
Sodium Starch Glycolate
Primary Uses
Pharmaceutical Industry
- Tablet Disintegrant: Promotes rapid breakup of tablets in the gastrointestinal tract for improved bioavailability.
- Capsule Disintegrant: Enhances dissolution of active ingredients in hard and soft gelatin capsules.
- Granule Disintegrant: Used in multi-particulate systems such as sachets or sprinkle formulations.
- Direct Compression Formulations: Enhances flowability and compressibility of powder blends.
- Modified Release Formulations: Used in fast-dissolving or orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs).
- Effervescent Tablets: Facilitates rapid dissolution along with effervescence.
- Nutraceutical Tablets: Widely used in dietary supplements, vitamins, and herbal tablets.
Food Industry
- Food Additive: Used as a processing aid or disintegrant in chewable dietary supplements.
- Carrier for Flavors or Nutrients: Occasionally employed to aid dispersion of encapsulated flavors.
- Starch Replacement: In limited food-grade applications for specialty powder formulations.
Cosmetic & Personal Care
- Powdered Cosmetic Products: Improves texture, spreadability, and moisture absorption in talc substitutes or facial powders.
- Topical Tablets or Patches: Disintegrates rapidly when exposed to moisture, aiding in rapid release of actives.
Veterinary Medicine
- Animal Tablets and Boluses: Used in pet or livestock tablets to enhance disintegration in digestive tract.
- Nutritional Supplements for Animals: Aids in dispersion of vitamins and minerals.
Secondary Uses
Industrial Applications
- Binder/Disintegrant in Specialty Chemicals: Occasionally used in powder-pressed catalysts or enzymatic tablets.
- Biodegradable Plastics Additive: Explored in biopolymer formulations for improving disintegration profile.
Agricultural Products
- Seed Coatings (Experimental): Enhances moisture activation in germination-accelerating coatings.
- Pesticide Tablet Formulations: Used as a disintegrant in slow-release pesticide tablets.
Research & Laboratory
- Drug Formulation Testing: Common excipient in pharmaceutical formulation development.
- In-vitro Dissolution Studies: Utilized in the design of model tablets for research applications.
Basic Identification Attributes
- Chemical Name (IUPAC): Sodium salt of a carboxymethyl ether of starch
- Common/Trade Name: Sodium Starch Glycolate (SSG)
- CAS Number: 9005-25-8 (starch base), 9063-38-1 (SSG)
- HS Code: 3505.10.00
- Synonyms: Carboxymethyl starch sodium salt, Cross-linked carboxymethyl starch sodium
Physical & Chemical Properties
- Physical State: Free-flowing hygroscopic powder
- Color & Odor: White to off-white; odorless
- Solubility: Practically insoluble in water; swells extensively
- Moisture Content: ≤10%
- Particle Size: 90% < 100 µm (typical)
- pH (1% dispersion): 5.5–7.5
- Swelling Capacity: Can swell 20–30 times its weight in water
Safety & Hazard Attributes
- GHS Classification: Not classified as hazardous
- Toxicity: LD₅₀ (oral, rat) > 5000 mg/kg
- Exposure Limits: Not established; general dust exposure limits apply
- Allergen Status: Derived from non-gluten sources (e.g., potato or maize)
Storage & Handling Attributes
- Storage Conditions: Store in cool, dry, well-ventilated area; protect from moisture
- Container Type: 25kg fiber drums or multi-wall paper bags with polyethylene liner
- Shelf Life: 24–36 months in original sealed packaging
- Handling Precautions: Avoid dust generation; use in controlled environments
Regulatory & Compliance Attributes
- Pharmacopoeia Compliance:
- USP/NF, Ph.Eur, JP, IP compliant grades available
- Food Additive Status: Approved for food supplement use in several jurisdictions
- REACH Exempt (natural polymer)
- GRAS Status: Generally Recognized as Safe for intended uses
- Halal, Kosher, and Non-GMO Grades: Available from specific suppliers
Environmental & Health Impact
- Biodegradability: Fully biodegradable
- Ecotoxicity: Not harmful to aquatic or terrestrial life
- Bioaccumulation: Not expected
Aquatic Impact: Negligible at typical use concentrations
Safety Handling Precautions
- PPE Required: Dust mask, gloves, safety goggles in bulk handling
- Handling Guidelines: Use dust control systems; avoid inhalation
- Storage Measures: Store in sealed packaging; avoid exposure to humidity
First Aid Measures
- Inhalation: Move to fresh air; seek medical help if symptoms persist
- Skin Contact: Wash with water; no known irritation
- Eye Contact: Rinse thoroughly with water; seek help if irritation occurs
- Ingestion: Non-toxic; rinse mouth and drink water if large amount is ingested
Firefighting Measures
- Fire Hazards: Combustible dust in large quantities
- Extinguishing Media: Water spray, dry chemical, foam
- Hazardous Combustion Products: Carbon oxides (CO, CO₂)

Preservatives(food)
Flavor Enhancers
Acidulants
Sweeteners
Antioxidants
Colorants(food)
Nutraceutical Ingredients (food)
Nutrient Supplements
Emulsifiers
Collectors
Dust Suppressants
Explosives and Blasting Agents
Flocculants and Coagulants
Frothers
Leaching Agents
pH Modifiers
Precious Metal Extraction Agents
Antioxidants(plastic)
Colorants (Pigments, Dyes)
Fillers and Reinforcements
Flame Retardants
Monomers
Plasticizers
Polymerization Initiators
Stabilizers (UV, Heat)
Antifoaming Agents
Chelating Agents
Coagulants and Flocculants
Corrosion Inhibitors
Disinfectants and Biocides
Oxidizing Agents
pH Adjusters
Scale Inhibitors( water)
Antioxidants(cosmetic)
Emollients
Fragrances and Essential Oils
Humectants
Preservatives
Surfactants(cosmetic)
Thickeners
UV Filters
Fertilizers
Soil Conditioners
Plant Growth Regulators
Animal Feed Additives
Biostimulants
Pesticides (Herbicides, Insecticides, Fungicides)
Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs)
Excipients
Solvents(pharmaceutical)
Antibiotics
Antiseptics and Disinfectants
Vaccine Adjuvants
Nutraceutical Ingredients (pharmaceutical)
Analgesics & Antipyretics
Analytical Reagents
Solvents(lab)
Chromatography Chemicals
Spectroscopy Reagents
microbiology-and-cell-culture-reagents
Molecular Biology Reagents
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Inorganic and Organic Standards
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Specialty Laboratory Chemicals(Special Laboratory Equipment)
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Drilling Fluids
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