Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC) 

Luyao Approval No. F2014065

CAS NO:9004-34-6

Packaging Specifications:20kg/bag 20kg/barrel

Quality Standard:CP2020, USP Current Edition

Main Uses:

Microcrystalline cellulose is widely used in pharmaceutical preparations, mainly as a diluent and binder in oral tablets and capsules. It can be used not only in wet granulation but also in direct compression for dry granulation. It also has a certain lubricating and disintegrating effect, which is very useful in tablet preparation.

Microcrystalline cellulose, the main component of which is a linear polysaccharide substance linked by β-1,4-glucosidic bonds, is a free-flowing, extremely fine, short rod-shaped or powdery porous granule of natural cellulose hydrolyzed by dilute acid to a limiting degree of polymerization (LOOP), composed of a white, odorless, tasteless crystalline powder.

In general plant fibers, microcrystalline cellulose accounts for about 70%, and the remaining 30% is amorphous. Microcrystalline cellulose is widely used in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food industries, with different particle sizes and water contents having different characteristics and application ranges.

Microcrystalline cellulose, especially during high-temperature processing, can stabilize foams and emulsions; form ointment-like gels; improve the heat resistance of pectin and starch gels; improve adhesion; replace fats and oils and control ice crystal growth. The reason why microcrystalline cellulose can stabilize emulsions and foams is that microcrystalline cellulose adsorbs on the interface and strengthens the interfacial film. Microcrystalline cellulose is a common ingredient in low-fat ice cream and other frozen desserts.

Microcrystalline cellulose is widely used in oral preparations and foods and is a relatively non-toxic and non-irritating substance. It is not absorbed orally and has almost no potential toxicity. Large amounts can cause mild diarrhea, but it poses no difficulty as a pharmaceutical excipient.

Abuse of preparations containing microcrystalline cellulose, such as inhalation or injection, can lead to cellulose granulomas.

Industry Applications

In the pharmaceutical industry, microcrystalline cellulose is commonly used as an adsorbent, suspending agent, diluent, and disintegrant. Microcrystalline cellulose is widely used in pharmaceutical preparations, mainly as a diluent and binder in oral tablets and capsules. It can be used not only in wet granulation but also in direct compression for dry granulation. It also has a certain lubricating and disintegrating effect, which is very useful in tablet preparation. Due to the hydrogen bonds between microcrystalline cellulose molecules, hydrogen bonds are associated under pressure, so it has high compressibility and is often used as a binder.

Given the unique structure and properties of microcrystalline cellulose, it is widely used as a disintegrant, stable emulsifier, etc., in the national economic sectors of medicine and health, food and beverages, and light chemical industry. Because cellulose is widely found in nature, hundreds of billions of tons of biomass residues rich in cellulose are produced worldwide each year. If these residues are well converted and utilized, they will be a rich resource. In China, the expansion of the scale and improvement of the product grade of leather making, daily chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food, and chlor-alkali industries have led to a year-on-year increase in the demand for microcrystalline cellulose, so microcrystalline cellulose has broad market prospects. The uses of microcrystalline cellulose are introduced below.

1. Pharmaceutical Industry

Microcrystalline cellulose is commonly used as an adsorbent, suspending agent, diluent, and disintegrant. Microcrystalline cellulose is widely used in pharmaceutical preparations, mainly as a diluent and binder in oral tablets and capsules. It can be used not only in wet granulation but also in direct compression for dry granulation. It also has a certain lubricating and disintegrating effect, which is very useful in tablet preparation.

Because there are hydrogen bonds between microcrystalline cellulose molecules, hydrogen bonds are associated under pressure, so it has high compressibility and is often used as a binder; when the pressed tablets encounter liquid, water quickly enters the interior of the tablets containing microcrystalline cellulose, and the hydrogen bonds immediately break, so it can be used as a disintegrant. Therefore, it is a widely used excipient in tablet production and can improve the hardness of tablets. For example, in the preparation of rifampin tablets, microcrystalline cellulose can be mixed with starch (mass ratio of 6.25:1) and various raw materials and directly compressed. The product disintegrates into a mist within 1 min. Moreover, the content remains unchanged during the shelf life, and the drug stability can be significantly improved. For example, due to the addition of microcrystalline cellulose, the dissolution rate of prednisone acetate and berberine acetate (hydrochloride) tablets is increased to over 80%. When using microcrystalline cellulose as an excipient for tableting, the traditional granulation process is not required. For example, in the preparation of Kebiqing tablets, the addition of microcrystalline cellulose solves the serious sticking phenomenon caused by the hygroscopicity of wet granulation and tableting of Kebiqing, and the disintegration is rapid.

Microcrystalline cellulose can also be used as a sustained-release agent for drugs. The sustained-release process is the entry of the active substance into the porous structure of the carrier. The active substance is contained by intermolecular hydrogen bonds, and after drying, the active substance is fixed. When the active substance is released, swelling is caused by the diffusion of water in the capillary system of the polymer carrier, and the chemical bonds between the carrier base and the fixed active substance are broken, and the active substance is slowly released.

Microcrystalline cellulose powder can form a stable dispersion system in water. When combined with drugs, it can be made into creamy or suspension-like medicinal liquids. It can also be used as a capsule agent. Microcrystalline cellulose forms a gel when vigorously stirred in water and can also be used to make ointment and suspension-type pharmaceutical preparations.

2. Food Industry

In the food industry, microcrystalline cellulose, as an edible fiber and an ideal health food additive, can maintain the stability of emulsions and foams, maintain high-temperature stability, and improve the stability of liquids. It has been certified and approved by the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization, and corresponding fiber products have emerged and are widely used in dairy products, frozen foods, meat products, etc.

Microcrystalline cellulose can be used as an anticaking agent, emulsifier, dispersant, and binder. China's "National Food Safety Standard for Food Additives" (GB2760-2011) stipulates that it can be used in creaming powders, light cream, with a maximum usage of 20g/kg; in ice cream, 40g/kg; in high-fiber foods and bread, 20g/kg. Other usage references: In ice cream, it improves the overall emulsification effect, prevents ice crystal formation, and improves taste. When used with carboxymethyl cellulose, it can increase the suspension of cocoa powder in milk drinks.

3. Cosmetics

Microcrystalline cellulose can be used as a filler in the manufacture of various cosmetics, skin treatment and care products, and cleaning detergents.