Chemical modification of cellulose from palm kernel de-oiled cake to microcrystalline cellulose and its evaluation as a pharmaceutical excipient

Abstract

Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) is an important ingredient in pharmaceutical, food, cosmetic and other industries. In this research work, microcrystalline cellulose was synthesized from the alpha cellulose content of pretreated palm kernel de-oiled cake. The microcrystalline cellulose from palm kernel cake was obtained through acidified sodium chlorite, sodium hydroxide delignification followed by hydrogen peroxides bleaching and finally acid hydrolysis. The prepared microcrystalline cellulose was characterized by determining some physicochemical properties such as pH, bulk density, tap density, moisture content, ash content, Carrs compressibility index, Hausners ratio, powder porosity, angle of repose and compared with commercial-grade microcrystalline cellulose that is used in pharmaceutical industry as excipient. FT-IR was employed to expose the functional groups and the wavelength inherent by both the produced and commercial microcrystalline cellulose. The swelling property of MCC product was determined based on hydration capacity, swelling capacity and moisture sorption capacity. The results of the physicochemical parameters were given as pH (7.75 ± 0.40), bulk density (0.49 ± 0.67 gcm-3), tapped density (0.54 ± 0.03 gcm-3), moisture content (1.00 ± 0.5%), ash content (4.30 ± 0.35%), Carrs compressibility index (12.96 ± 0.27), Hausners ratio (1.15 ± 0.01), powder porosity (18.8 ± 0.55), angle of repose (27.4 ± 0.26), respectively. The swelling properties were also determined and compared favorably with the commercial grade of microcrystalline cellulose (p>0.05). The findings suggest that palm kernel cake can not only be used as feeds for animals but also a better source of cellulose for the production of microcrystalline cellulose for the industry owing to its availability and cost managements.

Preliminary Pharmacognostic, Physicochemical and Phytochemical Evaluation of Plumeria Obtuse Seed Pods

“…Both FTIR and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS) have been widely employed to confirm functional groups and identify several bioactive compounds. 41,42,43 Thus, FTIR and GCMS techniques were used to conduct a more thorough investigation of significant plant constituents. The outcome of this investigation produced trustworthy data that will aid in the development and marketing of novel medications.…”

High-Yield Alpha-Cellulose from Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches by Optimizing Thermochemical Delignification Processes for Use as Microcrystalline Cellulose

“…Te potential market for microcrystalline cellulose products is quite large in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries. Microcrystalline cellulose is widely used as a binder [17][18][19][20], fller [21][22][23][24][25][26], and absorbent [27,28]. OPEFB cellulose, as a raw material for microcrystalline cellulose, requires high levels of alpha cellulose, which afects its crystallinity.…”