This study evaluates the physicochemical, tableting and spectroscopic properties of microcrystalline cellulose obtained from the African breadfruit seed hulls. The seed hulls were dried, pulverized, sieved and digested with 2% w/v aqueous sodium hydroxide solution. The resultant pulp was further treated with 17.5% w/v NaOH solution and 2.5N hydrochloric acid to produce α-cellulose and microcrystalline cellulose (BH-MCC), respectively. The prepared BH-MCC was characterized by studying their functional groups (using FT-IR), thermal stability using (TGA) and crystallinity index using (XRD). The results showed the composition of cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin contents of the seed hulls were 39, 38 and 17%, respectively. The percentage yields of the isolated α-cellulose and BH-MCC were 15.5 and 86.8%, respectively. The bulk, tapped and true densities were 0.33, 0.50 and 1.57 g/ml, respectively. Moisture content, angle of repose and swelling index were 5.3%, 28° and 29%, respectively. Tablets were produced by direct compression using BH-MCC and their analyses showed that the weight uniformity, hardness test, friability and disintegration time values were 190.3±4.2%, 4.95±0.83 kg/cm2, 0.04% and 31 s, respectively. The BH-MCC’s tablets showed good compliance with the British Pharmacopeia (BP) specification, and can thus be considered useful as a binder and disintegrant in drug formulation.

 

Key words: Microcrystalline cellulose, African breadfruit seed hull, physicochemical, tableting, composition.