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Studies on the physicochemical and functional properties of microcrystalline cellulose obtained from Khaya grandifolia wood flakes


FO Ohwoavworhua
T Adelakun
OO Kunle

Abstract



This study was aimed at developing pharmaceutical grade microcrystalline cellulose from Khaya grandifolia wood flakes as a tablet excipient. The microcrystalline cellulose coded KG-MCC, was obtained from Khaya grandifolia wood flakes by a two-stage sodium hydroxide delignification process followed by sodium hypochlorite bleaching and acid hydrolysis. KG-MCC was examined for its physicochemical and powder properties. The powder properties of KG-MCC were compared to those of best commercial microcrystalline cellulose grade, Avicel PH 101. The extraction yield of KG-MCC was approximately 18%. The cellulose material was composed of irregularly shaped fibrous cellulose particle with a moisture content of 5.6%. The true density was 1.36. The flow indices showed that KG-MCC flowed poorly. The hydration and swelling capacities were 2.9 and 57.9% respectively. The study revealed that the cellulose material compares favourably with Avicel PH 101 as well as official requirement specified in the British Pharmacopoeia 1993 for microcrystalline cellulose.

Keywords: Khaya grandifolia, microcrystalline cellulose, physicochemical properties

Journal of Pharmacy and Bioresources Vol. 4 (1) 2007: pp. 1-7

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eISSN: 0189-8442