Some Physical Characteristics of Microcrystalline Cellulose Obtained from Raw Cotton of Cochlospermum planchonii

Purpose: The microcrystalline cellulose is an important ingredient in pharmaceutical, food, cosmetic and other industries. This study aimed at evaluating the physical characteristics of microcrystalline cellulose (CP-MCC), obtained from the raw cotton of Cochlospermum planchonii. Methods: CP-MCC was obtained from the raw cotton by a two-stage sodium hydroxide treatment process followed by sodium hypochlorite bleaching and acid hydrolysis. It was examined for its physicochemical and powder properties. The powder properties of CP-MCC were compared to those of the well-known commercial microcrystalline cellulose grade, Avicel PH 101. Results: The extraction yield of CP-MCC was approximately 21%. The cellulose material was composed of irregularly shaped fibrous cellulose particles with a moisture content of 7.2% and total ash of 0.12%. The true density was 1.38. The flow indices showed that CP-MCC has poor flow. The hydration, swelling and moisture sorption capacities were 4.7, 83.3 and 22%, respectively. Conclusion: The cellulose product, CP-MCC, obtained from the raw cotton of Cochlospermum planchonii conformed to the official specifications in the British Pharmacopoeia (2004). The flow properties of a powder are critical in direct compression tableting; consequently, for the materials to be used for this purpose, it would require the addition of a glidant. Furthermore, the swelling parameters indicate that CP-MCC would be a better disintegrant than Avicel PH 101. Keywords: Cochlospermum planchonii, microcrystalline cellulose, physical characteristics, pharmacopoeial requirements> Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research Vol. 4 (2) 2005: pp. 501-50

Phosphoric Acid-Mediated Depolymerization and Decrystallization of α-Cellulose Obtained from Corn Cob: Preparation of Low Crystallinity Cellulose and Some Physicochemical Properties

Purpose: Low crystallinity celluloses (LCC) are materials that have a substantially reduced degree of crystallinity, typically ranging between 15 and 45%. It is useful as an excipient in preparation of tablets and confectionery products. The aim of this work was to obtain from α-cellulose content of corn cob, a low crystallinity cellulose (LCC-CC), and study its physical properties as well as evaluation of its potential as tablet excipient. Methods: α- cellulose (AC-CC) obtained from corn cob by a delignification process, was depolymerized with 85% phosphoric acid to yield LCC-CC product, whose physical properties were compared with those of AC-CC. Results: The yield of AC-CC and LCC-CC were 14 and 11 %, respectively. The physical properties indicated a good level of purity of the cellulose materials as they conform to British Pharmacopoeia specifications. The flow indices, however, showed that these materials flowed poorly. Conclusion: It was concluded that LCC-CC is a potential disintegrant and filler-diluent, in pharmaceutical tableting. Keywords: Low crystallinity cellulose, α-cellulose, physical properties, corn cob. > Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research Vol. 4 (2) 2005: pp. 509-51

Moniezia expansa in intensively raised Pigs: A Possible First Report in Nigeria

No Abstrac

A Comparative Evaluation of the Flow and Compaction Characteristics of a-Cellulose obtained from Waste Paper

Purpose: Alpha-cellulose obtained as pulp from fibrous plant materials has found use in the pharmaceutical industry as a disintegrant and direct compression diluent. The aim of this study was to evaluate the suitability of α-cellulose obtained from waste paper as a direct compression excipient. Method: The flow and compaction characteristics of α-cellulose (ACP) obtained from waste paper, in comparison with Avicel PH 101, using the Kawakita and Heckel models were evaluated. Result: The results indicate that the flow properties of these materials could not be predicted accurately using the Kawakita model. A comparison of compression behaviour and compactibility of the two powders showed Avicel PH 101 to be a slightly better binder. Conclusion: It was concluded that ACP material could find use as a potential dry binder and direct compression diluent in tableting as the binding properties were comparable to those of Avicel PH 101. . Keywords: Alpha-cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, flow and compaction characteristics, direct compression diluent. > Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research Vol. 6 (1) 2007: pp. 645-65

Electric Tricycle for Commercial Transportation

The paper analyses the design of an electric solarpowered tricycle for use as a commercial means of transportation. The tricycle uses an electric brushless direct current motor connected to the rear wheels of the tricycle using the chain and sprocket mechanism. This motor is powered by direct current from the battery bank. The battery bank is charged via a solar PV system directly installed on the roof of the tricycle. This enables the panel to charge the battery bank while the tricycle is in motion. The tricycle also employs the regenerative braking system which also charges the battery every time the brake is initiated. If effectively deployed, an estimated 32tonnes of CO2 emissions is calculated to be the CO2 savings effected by this energy system annually. Conclusively, this paper addresses the need to provide a sustainable and affordable solution to commercial passenger transportation in developing countries of the world

Effect of ginger, garlic and negro pepper on gut microbes, gut histomorphometry and pathological assessment of selected organs of broiler chickens

This study was conducted to determine the gut responses of broiler chickens fed Xylopia, ginger and garlic and their effect in controlling population of gut microbes of broiler chickens. A total of 240 Ross 308-dayold chicks were used. There were four treatments which were replicated four times. Each replicate had 15 birds. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD). Starter and finisher Control (T1) diets without Xylopia, ginger and garlic were formulated. T2 –T4 had 10g each of Xylopia, ginger and garlic respectively in 1000g of feed. The diets and water were offered to the birds ad libitum. At the end of the 8th week, two birds per replicate with representative weight were randomly selected, slaughtered and gastrointestinal tracts were removed. Five centimeter (5cm) cut of the jejunum of 3 randomly selected chickens per treatment were submerged inside 10% formalin and slide preparation was done. Also, the digesta from three selected sections of the gut were kept in sterile bottle, labelled and sent to reputable microbiology laboratory for microbial analysis. Data collected were analysed using SPSS version 21 and significant means were separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test of the same statistical package. There was reduction in the population of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter aerogens, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus in the birds fed the phtyo-additives compared to the control. The result obtained for gut morphometry of this experiment showed that garlic performed better by recording higher gut morphometry than other treatments as the gut length and gut weight of the experimental birds increased when fed garlic additives. The result of histomophometric characteristics shows significant different (P<0.05) across the treatments and garlic fed chickens and control had similar villi height (4401.67μ and 4171.62μ respectively) gut weight was similar across the four treatment groups except jejunum and ilium with highest value under the garlic fed chickens. The intestine histology revealed normal histo-archietecture, compact mucosa crypt and increased surface area in diets 2 and 4. Similarly, the liver histology revealed a fine histoachitecture throughout the treatment groups. This study concluded that the inclusion of Negro pepper, garlic and ginger in broilers diet improved gut ecosystem, intestine histomophometry without fear of toxicity