Non-wood Fibre Production of Microcrystalline Cellulose from Sorghum caudatum: Characterisation and Tableting Properties

The microcrystalline cellulose is an important ingredient in pharmaceutical, food, cosmetic and other industries. In this study, the microcrystalline cellulose, obtained from the stalk of Sorghum caudatum was evaluated for its physical and tableting characteristics with a view to assessing its usefulness in pharmaceutical tableting. The microcrystalline cellulose, obtained from the stalk of Sorghum caudatum, obtained by sodium hydroxide delignification followed by sodium hypochlorite bleaching and acid hydrolysis was examined for its physicochemical and tableting properties in comparison with those of the well-known commercial microcrystalline cellulose grade, Avicel PH 101. The extraction yield of this microcrystalline cellulose, obtained from the stalk of Sorghum caudatum was approximately 19%. The cellulose material was composed of irregularly shaped fibrous cellulose particles and had a moisture content of 6.2% and total ash of 0.28%. The true density was 1.46. The flow indices showed that the microcrystalline cellulose, obtained from the stalk of Sorghum caudatum flowed poorly. The hydration, swelling and moisture sorption capacities were 3.9, 85 and 24%, respectively. Tablets resulting from these cellulose materials were found to be without surface defects, sufficiently hard and having disintegration time within 15 min. The study revealed that the microcrystalline cellulose, obtained from the stalk of Sorghum caudatum compares favourably with Avicel PH 101 and conformed to official requirement specified in the British Pharmacopoeia 1993 for microcrystalline cellulose

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

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-

Isolation and characterization of microcrystalline cellulose obtained from palm nut (Elaeis guineensis) fibres

In this study, microcrystalline cellulose, coded MCC-PNF, was obtained from palm nut (Elaeis guineensis) fibres. MCC-PNF was examined for its physicochemical and powder properties. The powder properties of MCC-PNF were compared to those of the best commercial microcrystalline cellulose grade, Avicel PH 101. The extraction yield of MCC-PNF was approximately 8% w/w. The cellulose material was composed of irregularly shaped fibrous cellulose particles and has a moisture content of 5.6% and total ash of 0.21%. The true density was 1.54 g/cm3. The flow indices showed that MCC-PNF flowed poorly. The hydration and swelling capacities were 3.82 and 56.8% respectively. The study revealed that the cellulose material comparesfavourably with Avicel PH 101 and conformed to official requirements specified in the British Pharmacopoeia and Handbook of Pharmaceutical Excipients for microcrystalline cellulose. Keywords: palm nut fibres, microcrystalline cellulose, isolation, characterizationJournal of Pharmaceutical and Allied Sciences Vol. 3(1) 2006: 255-26