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. Key words: Microcrystalline cellulose, palm kernel de-oiled cake, commercial grade, carr’s compressibility index, pharmaceutical excipient.
Highlights
Microcrystalline cellulose is native from cellulose (Leppänen et al, 2010) and it is a cellulose derivative obtained from natural fiber usable for pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food and plastic composite fields owing to its compatibility, hydrophilicity, acid-insolubility and biodegradability (Thoorens et al, 2014)
The chemical composition of the palm kernel de-oiled cake showed that the lipid, lignin, hemicelluloses and cellulose contents were 15.09, 4.79, 14.60 and 63.83% respectively
The yield of cellulose extracted from the palm kernel de-oiled cake, measured based on the dry weight basis was obtained after oil extraction, removal of lignin and hemicelluloses
Summary
Microcrystalline cellulose is native from cellulose (Leppänen et al, 2010) and it is a cellulose derivative obtained from natural fiber usable for pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food and plastic composite fields owing to its compatibility, hydrophilicity, acid-insolubility and biodegradability (Thoorens et al, 2014). Microcrystalline cellulose is used as a stabilizer, anti-caking agent, fat substitute and emulsifier. Chem (Leppanen et al, 2009; Yakubu et al, 2011). Microcrystalline cellulose is used as excipient,and as a stabilizer (Thoorens et al, 2014)
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