Preparation of Microcrystalline Cellulose from Cotton and its Evaluation as Direct Compressible Excipient in the Formulation of Naproxen Tablets

Abstract

Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was prepared by acid hydrolysis from the cellulose purified from
the cotton. Chemical assay, determination of degree of polymerization (DP) and FT-IR confirm the identification of
prepared microcrystalline cellulose. The FT-IR spectrum of synthesized MCC is very similar to that of Avicel® PH-
102, a commercial direct compression excipient, at consideration of both band position and intensity. The degree of
polymerization (DP) of prepared MCC and Avicel PH102, determined from the value of intrinsic viscosity, were 210
and 240, respectively. The tableting properties of prepared MCC was excellent while formulating naproxen tablet.
The hardness and friability of the tablets prepared from MCC was 5.33  0.45 kg and 0.077%, respectively which
were comparable to the tablets prepared from marketed Avicel PH102 having hardness and friability 7.35  0.41 kg
and 0.063%, respectively. The disintegration time of tablet prepared from MCC and Avicel PH102 was 8.25  0.41
min and 4.50  0.28 min, respectively. Again, the tablets prepared from MCC and Avicel PH102 showed more than
90% and 98% dissolution, respectively as per the USP specified medium. All these data indicate that the hardness,
friability, disintegration and dissolution properties of tablets prepared by using our MCC comply with the USP
specifications. This makes the prepared MCC as a promising candidate for direct compressible excipient of tablet.