ii Physicochemical Characterization of Native Cellulose and Microcrystalline Cellulose from Banana Pseudostem, Banana Peduncle, and Banana Leaf (Musa x paradisiaca L.) and Evaluation of Microcrystalline Cellulose as a Directly Compressible Excipient
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Date
2023-09
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Wood is the most common source of cellulose, but over exploitation and deforestation
have led to a need for alternative sources. Banana (Musa spp.) is produced as a multi-
purpose crop in terms of food security, income generation, job opportunities, and animal
feeding in Ethiopia. However, the cultivation of bananas gives rise to a large number of
byproducts such as pseudostem, leaves, inflorescence, rhizomes, pith, sap, and fibers. This
study therefore aimed to isolate and characterize native cellulose and microcrystalline
cellulose (MCC) from banana leaf (BL), Banana pseudostem (BS), and Banana peduncle
(BP) and evaluate MCC as a directly compressible pharmaceutical excipient. Cellulose
fibers were obtained using a chlorine-free extraction process that began with sodium
hydroxide pretreatment. The fibers were then delignified with a mixture of formic acid,
acetic acid, and hydrogen peroxide, and bleached with alkaline hydrogen peroxide. MCC
was prepared by hydrolyzing the native cellulose fibers with hydrochloric acid (HCl). The
isolated cellulose and MCC were then characterized using different analytical techniques:
Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning
electron microscopy (SEM), and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The formulated
tablets were evaluated for uniformity of weight, hardness, friability, disintegration time,
and dissolution rate. The FTIR results tracked the gradual removal of non-cellulosic
components from the extracted cellulose. SEM images showed that the cellulose samples
had a micro-fibrillated structure, while the MCC samples had a rod-like shape with some
irregular aggregated particles. All samples of cellulose and MCC showed thermal stability.
XRD analysis showed that BL-MCC, BS-MCC, 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
and MCC from BL, BS, and BP were 23.1 ± 1.41%, 37.33 ± 1.4%, and 45 ± 0.8%,
respectively. The yields of MCC from BL, BS, and BP were 77.5 ± 0.4%, 85 ± 0.7%, and
87.3 ± 0.47%, respectively. Both without paracetamol and paracetamol-loaded tablets
made with BS-MCC and BP-MCC had acceptable crushing, tensile strength, and friability.
The disintegration times and drug release profiles of all paracetamol-loaded tablets made
with BS-MCC, BP-MCC, and Avicel PH-101 were similar and within the acceptable
range specified in the USP. This study proposes that BL, BS, and BP are locally available
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sources of cellulose and MCC with potential as direct-compressible tablet excipients in
pharmaceuticals, providing an alternative to local sources.
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Keywords
Banana leaves, Banana pseudostems, Banana peduncles, Cellulose, Microcrystalline cellulose, Directly compressible excipient