Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

Original Research Article | OPEN ACCESS

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

F O Ohwoavworhua , T A Adelakun

Department of Pharmaceutical Technology and Raw Materials Development (PT&RMD), National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development, (NIPRD), P.M.B. 21, Abuja, Nigeria;

For correspondence:- F Ohwoavworhua Email: frankohwo@yahoo.com

Published: 17 December 2005

Citation: Ohwoavworhua FO, Adelakun TA. Some Physical Characteristics of Microcrystalline Cellulose Obtained from Raw Cotton of Cochlospermum planchonii. Trop J Pharm Res 2005; 4(2):501-507 doi: 10.4314/tjpr.v4i2.5

© 2005 The authors.
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Abstract

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