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Microcrystalline cellulose obtained from plant as a pharmaceutical excipient


F O Ohwoavworhua
T Adelakun
O O Kunle

Abstract



This study was aimed at developing pharmaceutical grade microcrystalline cellulose from Chasmanthera dependens stem phloem fibres as a tablet excipient. The microcrystalline cellulose coded CD-MCC, was obtained from the phloem fibres by a two-stage sodium hydroxide delignification process followed by sodium hypochlorite bleaching and acid hydrolysis. CD-MCC was examined for its physicochemical and powder properties. The powder properties of CD-MCC were compared to those of best commercial microcrystalline cellulose grade, Avicel PH 101. The extraction yield of CD-MCC was about 17%. The cellulose material was composed of irregularly shaped fibrous cellulose particle with a moisture content of 4.8%. The true density was 1.66. The flow indices showed that CD-MCC flowed poorly. The hydration and swelling capacities were 2.19 and 41.9% 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: Chasmanthera dependens; Microcrystalline cellulose, Extraction; Characterization

Journal of Pharmacy and Bioresources Vol. 3 (2) 2006: pp. 70-76

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eISSN: 0189-8442