Microcrystalline cellulose

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Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) is a term for refined wood pulp and is used as a texturizer, an anti-caking agent, a fat substitute, an emulsifier, an extender, and a bulking agent in food production. [1] The most common form is used in vitamin supplements or tablets. It is also used in plaque assays for counting viruses, as an alternative to carboxymethylcellulose. [2]

Contents

Structure

A naturally occurring polymer, it is composed of glucose units connected by a 1-4 beta glycosidic bond. These linear cellulose chains are bundled together as microfibril spiralled together in plant cell walls.

Each microfibril exhibits a high degree of three-dimensional internal bonding resulting in a crystalline structure that is insoluble in water and resistant to reagents. There are, however, relatively weak segments of the microfibril with weaker internal bonding. These are called amorphous regions; some argue that they are more accurately called dislocations, because of the single-phase structure of microfibrils. The crystalline region is isolated to produce microcrystalline cellulose.

Uses

Approved within the European Union as a thickener, stabilizer or emulsifier, microcrystalline cellulose was granted the E number E460(i) with basic cellulose given the number E460. [3]

MCC has use in cosmetics as an abrasive, absorbent, anti-caking agent, aqueous viscosity increasing agent, binder, bulking agent, emulsion stabilizer, slip modifier, and texturizer, [4] [5] which can be found in various hair and skin care products as well as makeup.

The MCC is a valuable additive in pharmaceutical, food, cosmetic and other industries. Different properties of MCC are measured to qualify its suitability to such utilization, namely particle size, density, compressibility index, angle of repose, powder porosity, hydration swelling capacity, moisture sorption capacity, moisture content, crystallinity index, crystallite size, and mechanical properties such as hardness and tensile strength.

Synthesis

MCC is pure partially depolymerized cellulose synthesized from α-cellulose precursor. [6] The MCC can be synthesized by different processes such as reactive extrusion, enzyme mediated, mechanical grinding, ultrasonication, steam explosion and acid hydrolysis. The latter process can be done using mineral acids such as H2SO4, HCl and HBr as well as ionic liquids. The role of these reagents is to destroy the amorphous regions leaving the crystalline domains.

The degree of polymerization is typically less than 400. The MCC particles with size lower than 5 μm must not be more than 10%.

Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) or differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) are also important to predict the thermal behavior of the MCC upon heat stresses.

Allergic reactions

At least one case of an allergic reaction to microcrystalline cellulose has been documented. [7]

It has been noted as a potential MCAS excipient trigger depending on the source and processing method of the cellulose. [8]

Related Research Articles

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Cellulose is an organic compound with the formula (C
6H
10O
5)
n, a polysaccharide consisting of a linear chain of several hundred to many thousands of β(1→4) linked D-glucose units. Cellulose is an important structural component of the primary cell wall of green plants, many forms of algae and the oomycetes. Some species of bacteria secrete it to form biofilms. Cellulose is the most abundant organic polymer on Earth. The cellulose content of cotton fiber is 90%, that of wood is 40–50%, and that of dried hemp is approximately 57%.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hemicellulose</span> Class of plant cell wall polysaccharides

A hemicellulose is one of a number of heteropolymers, such as arabinoxylans, present along with cellulose in almost all terrestrial plant cell walls. Cellulose is crystalline, strong, and resistant to hydrolysis. Hemicelluloses are branched, shorter in length than cellulose, and also show a propensity to crystallize. They can be hydrolyzed by dilute acid or base as well as a myriad of hemicellulase enzymes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Polymer</span> Substance composed of macromolecules with repeating structural units

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Natural fiber</span> Fibers obtained from natural sources such as plants, animals or minerals without synthesis

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hypromellose</span> Cellulose ether used as emulsifier or thickening agent to disperse colloids in water

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nanocellulose</span> Material composed of nanosized cellulose fibrils

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bacterial cellulose</span> Organic compound

Bacterial cellulose is an organic compound with the formula (C
6H
10O
5)
n produced by certain types of bacteria. While cellulose is a basic structural material of most plants, it is also produced by bacteria, principally of the genera Komagataeibacter, Acetobacter, Sarcina ventriculi and Agrobacterium. Bacterial, or microbial, cellulose has different properties from plant cellulose and is characterized by high purity, strength, moldability and increased water holding ability. In natural habitats, the majority of bacteria synthesize extracellular polysaccharides, such as cellulose, which form protective envelopes around the cells. While bacterial cellulose is produced in nature, many methods are currently being investigated to enhance cellulose growth from cultures in laboratories as a large-scale process. By controlling synthesis methods, the resulting microbial cellulose can be tailored to have specific desirable properties. For example, attention has been given to the bacteria Komagataeibacter xylinus due to its cellulose's unique mechanical properties and applications to biotechnology, microbiology, and materials science.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caking</span> Tendency of powder to form lumps or masses

Caking is a powder's tendency to form lumps or masses. The formation of lumps interferes with packaging, transport, flowability, and consumption. Usually caking is undesirable, but it is useful when pressing powdered substances into pills or briquettes. Granular materials can also be subject to caking, particularly those that are hygroscopic such as salt, sugar, and many chemical fertilizers. Anticaking agents are commonly added to control caking.

References

  1. ↑ "Agricultural Marketing Service". Archived from the original on 8 July 2014. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
  2. ↑ Matrosovich, Mikhail; Tatyana Matrosovich; Wolfgang Garten; Hans-Dieter Klenk (2006). "New low-viscosity overlay medium for viral plaque assays". Virology Journal. 3. BioMed Central: 63. doi: 10.1186/1743-422X-3-63 . PMC   1564390 . PMID   16945126.
  3. ↑ "FOODS". Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 9 November 2016.
  4. ↑ Decorative skin and hair cosmetics containing microcrystalline cellulose as enhancing agent, 2004-01-06, retrieved 2018-05-21
  5. ↑ "Microcrystalline Cellulose | Cosmetics Info". www.cosmeticsinfo.org. Retrieved 2018-05-21.
  6. ↑ "Hindi, S. S. Z. 2016. Microcrystalline cellulose: Its specifications and pharmaceutical processing. Biocrystals Journal. 1 (1): 26-38". BioCrystals. Archived from the original on 2016-05-08. Retrieved 2016-04-22.
  7. ↑ "Letter from Allergy Clinic of Tulsa". Archived from the original on 2017-03-23. Retrieved 2012-02-03.
  8. ↑ https://www.mastcellaction.org/assets/_/2021/09/13/29fd2269-847a-4ab3-9295-d6432316233a/recognition-and-management-of-excipient-reactivity-in-mast-cell-activation-syndrome.pdf?v=1 [ bare URL ]
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