Wood is the most common source of cellulose, but overexploitation and deforestation have led to a need for alternative sources. Banana plant biomass provides a sustainable alternative to wood-based cellulose. This study explored the extraction and characterization of cellulose and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) from Musa × paradisiaca L. plant leaves, pseudostems, and peduncles and evaluated their potential as pharmaceutical excipients. A chlorine-free extraction process was used for cellulose extraction, and MCC was obtained through acid hydrolysis. The extracted materials were characterized via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The FTIR analysis indicated the removal of noncellulosic impurities, whereas SEM revealed microfibrillated structures for cellulose and rod-like shapes for MCC. All the samples exhibited thermal stability. Banana leaf microcrystalline cellulose (BL-MCC), banana pseudostem microcrystalline cellulose (BS-MCC), banana peduncle microcrystalline cellulose (BP-MCC), and Avicel PH-101 had crystallinity indices of 77%, 84%, 83%, and 85%, respectively, and degree of polymerization (DP) values of 270, 265, 255, and 240, respectively. The yields of cellulose from BL, BS, and BP were 23.1 ± 1.41%, 37.33 ± 1.4%, and 45 ± 0.8%, respectively, and those of MCC were 77.5 ± 0.4%, 85 ± 0.7%, and 87.3 ± 0.5%, respectively. The formulated tablets were evaluated for uniformity of weight, hardness, friability, disintegration time, and dissolution rate, and exhibited acceptable physical and mechanical properties. These findings suggest that the MCC from banana biomass shows potential for successful use in tablet formulations and thereby serve as an alternative source for the production of pharmaceutical excipients.

The development of an active food packaging film from carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), starch, glycerol, and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) to enhance mechanical strength and moisture resistance, which was synthesized from sugarcane bagasse (SCB), and titanium dioxide (TiO2) was investigated. The MCC was chemically extracted from SCB via alkaline treatment, hydrogen peroxide oxidation, and acid hydrolysis, resulting in 92% cellulose purity, as confirmed by Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The biofilms were prepared using the solution casting method with 3 conditions: CMC/starch, CMC/starch/MCC, and CMC/starch/MCC/TiO2. Incorporating MCC and TiO2 significantly improved tensile strength (21.57 MPa to 42.79 MPa) and Young’s modulus (1258 MPa to 1568 MPa). These additions decreased water solubility from 22.1% to 0.7%. FT-IR analysis of the films showed enhanced CH bonding of CMC in high content without any reaction. Biodegradability tests showed complete degradation within 7 days. Shelf-life extension tests demonstrated that bananas wrapped with CMC/starch/MCC/TiO2 film lasted up to 12 days, compared to 5-6 days for unwrapped samples, with the addition of TiO2 effectively scavenging ethylene without compromising film integrity. These results demonstrate the feasibility of SCB-derived MCC for sustainable, high-performance food packaging.

Physicochemical characterization and clinical evaluation of 3D-printed subdivided tablets of 6-Mercaptopurine with broad dosage variations.

Synergistic enhancement of gelation and protein interactions in low-salt shrimp gels by static magnetic field and microcrystalline cellulose

Enhancement of the technofunctional properties of microcrystalline cellulose via combined natural deep eutectic solvents and ultra-high-pressure homogenization

Chestnut burrs as a sustainable source of cellulose for Pickering emulsion stabilisers.

Physicochemical and biological evaluation of a hydroxyapatite–chitosan–microcrystalline cellulose biocomposite as a candidate for biomedical applications

<strong><span lang="IN">ABSTRACT. </span></strong><span lang="EN-US">Capsules are one of the most used drug delivery media. Capsule shells are made from gelatin, a protein derived from hydrolyzed collagen, which is extracted from animal skin, tissue, and bones. Gelatin from animals is susceptible to contamination with pathogens. Alternative ingredients that are safe to use include those derived from vegetables, such as palm starch dregs. The cellulose content in solid sugar palm waste is quite high, so it has potential for use in making capsule shells. However, cellulose does not dissolve easily in water. Improving this property can be done by changing the size. Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC) is obtained by acid hydrolysis of cellulose, resulting in the loss of the amorphous portion, leaving the crystalline portion. Its good dispersion in water makes MCC a matrix-forming agent when mixed with HPMC, a gelatin substitute. This research intends to examine the impact of involving MCC derived from solid sugar palm waste on the characteristics of the capsule shell. The properties include uniformity of weight, water content, ash content, pH, and solubility. The acid hydrolysis method is used in the synthesis of MCC. FTIR results show that MCC has the same functional groups as α-cellulose. SEM results show that although some parts are nano-sized, there are still other parts that are micron-sized. Capsule shells were made with varying concentrations of MCC 1%, 4%, 7%, and 10% with the addition of HPMC 2%, PEG-400 2%, and water. The results show that the best variation is at 4% MCC, which meets the standards of Farmakope Indonesia VI edition. On average, the capsule’s weight is 0.0938 grams, water content is 13.73%, ash content is 1.35%, pH 6, solubility in water is 19 minutes 49 seconds, and solubility in acid is 2 minutes 40 seconds.</span><div><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div><div><strong><span lang="EN-US">Keywords:</span></strong></div><div><p align="left">α-selulosa, Capsule shell, Microcrystalline celluloses, Drug delivery, Palm starch dregs.</p></div>

Efficient degradation of cellulose is a key bottleneck in the industrialization of biofuels. While fungi achieve substrate conversion through precise regulation of cellulase systems, the systematic mechanisms underlying efficient degradation (encompassing gene transcription, extracellular protein cooperation, and product metabolism) remain unclear in specific fungi, especially thermophilic fungi critical for industrial production. (1) C. thermophilumdid not induce cellulases under cellobiose, while microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) strongly activated degradation. CtClr-2 acts as a core transcription factor, directly driving the co-expression of key genes including LPMOs, CDH, and CBH; its deletion reduces MCC degradation efficiency by 30%. (2) Enzyme secretion may follow a three-stage cascade pattern (CBH1-A → LPMOs/CDH-1 → CBH1/2-B), where the selective secretion and temporal synergy of oxidases and hydrolase increase the reducing sugar yield by 60.6%. (3) The sugar acid metabolic network may enable efficient utilization of degradation products and potentially help maintain extracellular pH. This study reveals the efficient "transcriptional regulation-enzyme secretion adaptation" synergistic mechanism in C. thermophilum. CtClr-2 coordinates key genes, and staged enzyme secretion optimizes synergy, while sugar acid metabolism ensures homeostasis. These insights advance thermophilic cellulolysis understanding and provide targets for engineering industrial strains through synthetic biology (for example, enhancing enzyme yield and optimizing degradation efficiency), aiding cost reduction in biofuel production.

Powder flow is a constant concern in the production of solid dosage forms. Its concise and reliable determination and improvement are challenges for the pharmaceutical industry. Lactose (Lac) and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) are both widely used pharmaceutical fillers either alone or mixed. In this study, flow determination was performed through methods described on the European Pharmacopoeia. The results obtained showed poor flow and cohesive behavior for Lac and MCC powders and their mixtures (co-processed excipients). The 50% Lac_MCC mixture, with colloidal silicon dioxide (CSD) as the glidant in different proportions, showed relevant improvements in flow. In addition, the effective angle of wall friction (φx), the effective angle of internal friction (φe), arching, and ratholing were also determined, demonstrating the flow behavior in the discharge equipment. Outlet diameters that prevent blockages or insufficient powder flow were also determined. With this study, it was concluded that it was possible to prepare a co-processed excipient with optimal flow behavior composed of Lac_MCC and CSD as a glidant.

Microcrystalline Cellulose Aspiration Presenting as Interstitial Lung Disease Diagnosed via Transbronchial Lung Cryobiopsy

In response to growing interest in green additives derived from natural raw materials or post-production waste of natural origin, epoxy compositions containing the additive in the form of waste wood flour and microcellulose were prepared. The research involved the chemical modification of the additive through a two-stage silanization process using 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane. Followed by filler’s characterization using Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) to analyze the modification in chemical structure, Wide Angle X-Ray Diffraction (WAXD) to detect differences in crystal structure, and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to observe morphological changes. Next, waste oak flour (WF) and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) were used in unmodified and silanized form (sil-WF and sil-MCC, respectively) to prepare epoxy composites, followed by testing their influence on the mechanical (hardness, tensile strength, flexural strength, compressive strength, and impact strength), thermal, and morphological characteristics of epoxy composites based on Epidian 6. Comparing the effect of modification on the properties of the analyzed additives, it was found that silanization had a larger impact on increasing the interaction of the waste wood flour with the epoxy matrix than silanization of MCC due to a lesser tendency of the sil-WF than the sil-MCC to agglomerate. An enhanced interaction of sil-WF with the polymer resulted in improved mechanical properties. Composite EP/sil-WF (cured epoxy composite based on low-molecular-weight epoxy resin Epidian 6 filled with 5 wt.% of silanized wood flour) was characterized by improved flexural (61.97 MPa) and compressive properties (69.1 MPa) compared to both EP/WF (cured epoxy composite based on low-molecular-weight epoxy resin Epidian 6 filled with 5 wt.% of unmodified wood flour) (42.39 MPa and 61.0 MPa) and the unfilled reference composition (54.55 MPa and 67.4 MPa, respectively). Moreover, compositions containing a cellulosic additive were characterized by better impact properties than the reference composition.

Prior research identified profound sleep disruption in progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). The hypothalamus and brainstem, areas that help regulate sleep/wake patterns, are among the earliest affected brain regions in PSP disease progression. Comparing polysomnography and quantitative-neuropathology metrics, we identified relative sparing of wake-promoting nuclei in PSP compared to Alzheimer's disease, though PSP had more disrupted sleep. It led to the hypothesis that PSP patients have hyperinsomnia (or hyposomnia, little sleep) due to degeneration of sleep nuclei with a preservation of sleep neurons, causing a system unbalance. A higher neuronal count of wake-promoting nuclei was associated with greater nocturnal wake, regardless of disease. Specifically, orexinergic wake-promoting neurons in the lateral hypothalamus, previously described as the sleep-on/off switch, are relatively spared in PSP. Thus, we hypothesized that an orexinergic antagonist may be more effective in treating sleep/wake issues in PSP than other hypnotic medications. This study protocol was established to test the safety and efficacy of an orexinergic antagonist (suvorexant) targeting the wake-promoting system and contrasts it with a GABAergic receptor agonist (zolpidem) targeting sleep-promoting systems and placebo. This is a remote clinical trial, designed as a double-blind, cross-over, within-subject 6-week trial, with 3 one-week-long conditions, separated by 1-week washout periods. The order of the 3 regimens is randomized and counterbalanced: placebo (microcrystalline cellulose), 15mg/day suvorexant, 5mg/day zolpidem. Participants are recruited from doctor and study referrals, registries, and support groups. Once onboarded, the trial coordinator maintains communication with the participant/caregiver throughout the 6weeks. Assessments include neurological interviews, cognitive testing, and subjective questionnaire packets. Sleep and circadian rhythms are assessed through ambulatory EEG and actigraphy monitoring devices worn by the participant throughout the trial. The study design aims to reduce participant and caregiver burden, while improving accessibility to such a study. Administering a remote clinical trial for a rare disease, however, creates unique issues that would otherwise be absent from in-person studies. Particularly, a symptom rather than disease-modifying trial is challenging to recruit for when potential disease-modifying therapeutics are available. Needing to coordinate with non-associated medical offices to attain medical records or prescriptions can cause frustrations for the potential participant, medical office, and study team. In recruitment, onboarding, and trial maintenance, this study design relies on consistent communication to support participant enrollment and satisfaction. Treatment of Disturbed Sleep in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP); NCT04014389. Registered onJune 2, 2019.

Purpose: To investigate the dissolution profile of ionic liquid forms of diclofenac sodium. Methods: Three ionic liquids, namely 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, cholinium chloride, and benzalkonium chloride, were converted into corresponding diclofenac-ionic liquid formulations by reacting each ionic liquid with diclofenac sodium at a 1.1:1 molar ratio. The prepared diclofenac-ionic liquids were solidified by adsorption onto microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel PH-102) and characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, and differential scanning calorimetry to prove ionic interactions as well as partial amorphization of the diclofenac. Results: Percentage yield of the prepared ionic formulations was > 94 %. There was significant improvement in solubility, with the imidazolium diclofenac ionic liquid exhibiting a 5.3-fold and 4-fold increase in solubility in distilled water and phosphate buffer (pH 6.8), respectively (p < 0.05). In addition, the imidazolium diclofenac-ionic liquid showed an excellent dissolution profile. Conclusion: These results highlight the potential applicability of imidazolium diclofenac ionic liquid as an efficient dissolution rate enhancer for diclofenac. This study justifies applying ionic liquids as recovery-enhancing carriers in drug delivery systems, especially for poorly soluble drugs.

Biorefining finger millet residues via anatomical fractionation for efficient nanocellulose extraction in a sustainable material framework.

Recent advances in microcrystalline cellulose-reinforced polymer composites: extraction, properties, applications, and sustainability perspectives.

Efficient removal of diclofenac sodium from water by chitosan/microcrystalline cellulose@polyethyleneimine hydrogel beads: Adsorption performance and mechanism study.

Flowability is an essential property that must be evaluated to ensure smooth and consistent feeding of powder materials into hoppers. However, the flowability of cellulose powders is difficult to predict due to their complex particle morphology and surface characteristics. In this study, the key factors affecting the flowability of cellulose powders, including particle size, shape, size distribution, moisture content, and surface chemistry, were investigated using cellulose nanofiber, microcrystalline cellulose, and kenaf pulp. Both static and dynamic flowability were evaluated using angle of repose measurements and dynamic avalanche analysis. Among the morphological factors, the average particle size of cellulose powders was identified as the dominant parameter influencing their flowability. Flowability improved with increasing particle size and showed a sharp decline for fine particles smaller than 70 µm. With increasing moisture content, the flowability of fine particles smaller than 20 µm was improved, whereas that of relatively larger particles deteriorated. Hydrophobization enhanced flowability by reducing surface energy and friction. However, excessive hydrophobization induced particle aggregation and decreased flowability. These results identified the key parameters governing cellulose powder flow and clarify the characteristics advantageous for stable feeding and uniform product quality.

Tunable alkaline-modified microcrystalline cellulose for deacidification of corn oil.

Unraveling the inherent potential of five different commercially important bamboo as sources of microcrystalline cellulose