Belete,Anteneh(Dr.)Joseph,Nisha Mary(Dr.)Gabriel,Tesfaye(Dr.)Wledesilasse,Amanuel2025-08-132025-08-132023-09https://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/123456789/6743Wood 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 xvi sources of cellulose and MCC with potential as direct-compressible tablet excipients in pharmaceuticals, providing an alternative to local sources.en-USBanana leavesBanana pseudostemsBanana pedunclesCelluloseMicrocrystalline celluloseDirectly compressible excipientThesis