Question

If aspirin were taken in a syrup instead of a tablet, how would this affect an excipient analysis? Specifically, what result would you expect from the IKI test?

Answer 1

Aspirin or acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) is a commonly used drug for the treatment of pain and fever

IKI test, also called Iodine test, is iodine solution made up by dissolving iodine (I ) in a solution of potassium iodide (KI). It has a light orange-brown color. When Iodine is added to the sample containing starch it turns dark blue-black in colour, showing the presence of starch.

To obtain the characteristic shape in the Commercial aspirins (tablets), starch is added to it. Therefore when Iodine test is performed on a tablet, the light orange brown colour changes to dark blue-black colour

However, since aspirin syrup would not contain starch in it, it will show negative results for Iodine test, and no change in colour will be observed

Aspirin tablet + Iodine solution → Change in colour (from light orange-brown to dark blue-black)

Aspirin syrup + Iodine solution → No Change in colour (retains light orange - brown colour)