Influence of degree of polymerization on behavior of cellulose during homogenization and extrusion/spheronization

Abstract

The study objective was to investigate the influence of the degree of polymerization (DP) of cellulose materials (microcrystalline cellulose [MCC] and powder cellulose [PC]) on the behavior of these materials during homogenization and extrusion/spheronization processes. Suspensions of the cellulose types with different DP values were homogenized using a high-pressure homogenizer. The particle size, agglomeration index, and apparent viscosity of these suspensions was determined at different times after pouring. Additionally, these different cellulose types were processed into pellets using the extrusion/spheronization method, and the water content and power consumption as a function of the DP were determined. Cellulose types with a high DP value showed greater particle size after homogenization than the types with a low DP value. In contrast, no relevant relationship between the apparent viscosity and DP could be observed. During the extrusion process, water content in the extrudate and pellet porosity were increased as the DP was increased for the extrudates produced at the same level of power consumption. MCC types with various DPs compared with PC provided a novel way of understanding the role of cellulose in the extrusion process. The DP showed a remarkable influence on the physicochemical properties of the cellulose materials and, consequently, on the behavior of these materials during the extrusion/spheronization process. It is postulated that the sponge model is more appropriate for the cellulose type with high DP (PC), whereas the gel model is more applicable to cellulose types with lower DP (MCC).

Powder and mechanical properties of microcrystalline cellulose with different degrees of polymerization

“…Plotting the particle size (D50 and D90) of the cellulose against the DP value (Figure 3) clearly shows that there is no correlation between the particle size or fine part (< 34 µm) and the DP values of the different MCCs. Kleinebudde et al [6] found a significant correlation, with a proportional relationship, between the suspension particle sizes and the DP values of different MCCs. This difference between our results and the results of Kleinebudde et al [6] is due to the water absorption that occurred in the suspension medium.…”

“…Kleinebudde et al [6] found a significant correlation, with a proportional relationship, between the suspension particle sizes and the DP values of different MCCs. This difference between our results and the results of Kleinebudde et al [6] is due to the water absorption that occurred in the suspension medium. Furthermore, our results show that the fine part does not correlate with the DP values.…”

“…parameters were lowered as the degree of crystallinity of MCC became smaller. Kleinebudde et al [6] reported that altering the DP resulted in great changes in the behavior of the material during the homogenization and extrusion processes. Dybowski [7] investigated the physical properties of different MCCs that had different DPs and were produced from different wood types with different DPs.…”

Assessment of the Production Variables on the Pelletization Properties of Microcrystalline Cellulose Ii (Mccii)

“…MCCI can absorb large amounts of water favoring the formation of microgranules having the suitable plasticity, rheology, and cohesive properties to produce beads [6]. The pelletization properties are also affected by the chemical composition, degree of polymerization, degree of crystallinity, moisture content and particle morphology [7].…”

Study of the effect of formulation variables on the characteristics of combination tablets containing enalapril maleate and indapamide as active substances using experimental design

“…Among the studied variables, MCC proportion (X1) proved to have the greatest impact on powder characteristics, significantly influencing all responses. Cellulose type was shown to have a great influence on the resulting tablet properties (19)(20)(21). Vivapur 102 is a fine-grade microcrystalline cellulose and due to its anisometric particles and low density, its mass flow is lower compared to other diluents (22).…”