A Comparative Evaluation of the Flow and Compaction Characteristics of a-Cellulose obtained from Waste Paper

Abstract

Purpose: Alpha-cellulose obtained as pulp from fibrous plant materials has found use in thepharmaceutical industry as a disintegrant and direct compression diluent. The aim of thisstudy was to evaluate the suitability of á-cellulose obtained from waste paper as a directcompression excipient.Method: The flow and compaction characteristics of á-cellulose (ACP) obtained from wastepaper, in comparison with Avicel PH 101, using the Kawakita and Heckel models wereevaluated.Result: The results indicate that the flow properties of these materials could not be predictedaccurately using the Kawakita model. A comparison of compression behaviour andcompactibility of the two powders showed Avicel PH 101 to be a slightly better binder.Conclusion: It was concluded that ACP material could find use as a potential dry binder anddirect compression diluent in tableting as the binding properties were comparable to those ofAvicel PH 101.