Characterizations of Alpha-Cellulose and Microcrystalline Cellulose Isolated from Cocoa Pod Husk as a Potential Pharmaceutical Excipient

Abstract

Cellulose is a non-toxic, bio-degradable, and renewable biopolymer which is abundantly available in nature. The most common source of commercial microcrystalline cellulose is fibrous wood pulp. Cellulose and its derivatives have found wide commercial applications in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food, paper, textile, and engineering industries. This study aims to isolate and characterize cellulose forms from cocoa pod husk (CPH) and to assess its mechanical and disintegration properties as a direct compression excipient in metronidazole tablets. Two isolated cellulose types (i.e., cocoa alpha-cellulose (CAC) and cocoa microcrystalline cellulose (C-MCC)) were compared with avicel (AV). CAC and C-MCC were characterized for their physicochemical properties using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), FTIR spectroscopy, Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and X-Ray Powder Diffraction (XRD). Metronidazole tablets were produced by direct compression with cellulose. The mechanical and disintegration properties of the tablets were evaluated. CAC and C-MCC yield was 42.3% w/w and 38.25% w/w, respectively. Particle diameters were significantly different with CAC (282.22 μm) > C-MCC (161.32 μm) > AV (72.51 μm). CAC and C-MCC had a better flow than AV. SEM revealed the fibrous nature of the cellulose. FTIR and XRD analysis confirmed the presence of cellulose with crystallinity index of 69.26%, 43.83%, and 26.32% for AV, C-MCC, and CAC, respectively. C-MCC and AV are more crystalline and thermally stable at high temperatures compared to CAC. The mechanical and disintegration properties of C-MCC and AV tablets complied with pharmacopeia specifications. Taken together, C-MCC isolated from CPH displayed some fundamental characteristics suitable for use as a pharmaceutical excipient and displayed better properties compared to that of AV.

Isolation and Characterization of Cellulose Microfibers from Colombian Cocoa Pod Husk via Chemical Treatment with Pressure Effects

“…In that study, a crystallinity index of 43.83% for microcellulose was obtained, which is like that of this study for tCPH (42.84%). However, to extract alpha-cellulose, a hydrolysis with 0.5 M HCl was performed, followed by an additional hydrolysis in triplicate with 1M NaOH, and finally, a hydrolysis with 2.5 N HCl [ 85 ]. This was a much longer procedure and required more reagents to obtain results like those of this research, where pressure aided in the removal of lignin and hemicellulose.…”

Isolation, Modification and Characterization of Cellulose from Corn Husk Waste of Puncak‐Bogor

“…The cellulose particle size obtained in this work tends to be similar to that of cocoa alpha-cellulose (CAC) with 282.22 μm, but higher than both cocoa microcrystalline cellulose (C-MCC, 161.32 μm) and avicel (AV, 72.51 μm). [62] As explained in previous research, the crystallinity, moisture content, surface area, porosity structure, molecular weight, and particle size of cellulose derived from various sources and hydrolysis conditions vary. [54] Cellulose obtained from different origins and hydrolysis conditions differs in crystallinity, moisture content, surface area, porous structure, particle size, and molecular weight.…”

Design, Physical Characterizations, and Biocompatibility of Cationic Solid Lipid Nanoparticles in HCT-116 and 16-HBE Cells: A Preliminary Study

“…During a change in temperature, DSC measures the quantity of heat excessively radiated or absorbed by the sample based on the temperature difference between the sample and reference material [ 39 , 40 ]. The DSC131 evo calorimeter (LabWrench/LabX, Midland, ON, Canada) was used to determine the surfactant’s ability to interact with the lipid matrix GMS (Mumbai, India).…”