Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC)

Microcrystalline Cellulose Latest News

The pharma unit of Sigachi Industries in Hyderabad, which makes microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), was the scene of a lethal accident recently, with the toll rising to 36.

About Microcrystalline Cellulose

• It is a free-flowing powdery substance extracted as a pulp from fibrous plant material called refined wood pulp.
• It is a purified, partially depolymerized cellulose having the formula (C6H10O5)n. 
• Chemically, it is an inert substance, is not degraded during digestion, and has no appreciable absorption.
• As a natural, fiber-rich component, it’s nontoxic and chewable. 
• Wood is the most common source of pharmaceutical MCC, in which cellulose chains are closely packed in layered form and are held together by a cross-linking polymer and strong hydrogen bonds. 
• Its crystalline structure is due to its microfibres having a high degree of three-dimensional internal bonding. 
• During compression, MCC plastically deforms, and therefore, interparticle bonding increases. The plasticity of the MCC is the main reason for its exceptional binding property.

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Microcrystalline Cellulose Applications

• It is used as a texturizer, extender, emulsifier, and binder in the pharmaceutical industry and as a bulking agent in food production. 
• Its vital use is in the making of vitamin supplements and tablets.
• MCC can add weight to a drug and facilitate the active ingredients to function effectively while making the drug conform to weight specifications.

Source: TH