Comparative study of the binding strength of cellulose extracted from cassava peel and commercial polymers in cloxacillin tablet formulation

Background and aim: This study investigated the comparative binding strength of cellulose extracted from Manihot esculenta (cassava) peel (CPC) with commercial acacia gum BP and carnauba wax BP on the mechanical strength in the formulation of Cloxacillin tablets. Methods: Cellulose extracted from local cassava peel was subjected to phytochemical analysis. Cloxacillin granules were prepared by wet granulation using the three binders at concentrations of 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10 % w/v. Micromeritic parameters of the granules, incorporating flow rate, angle of repose, bulk and tapped densities, Carr’s index and Hausner’s ratio, were determined. Physicochemical tests (hardness, weight uniformity, friability, disintegration and moisture absorption), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were conducted on extracted cellulose. Results: Phytochemical analysis indicated presence of only flavonoids, alkaloids and tannins. Bulk density values were - CPC 0.725, acacia gum 0.737, carnauba wax 0.741 (g/cc3 ); tapped densities - CPC 0.777, acacia gum 0.794, carnauba wax 0.816 (g/cc3 ); Hausner’s ratio – CPC 1.07, acacia gum 1.08, carnauba wax 1.10; flow rate – CPC 3.33, acacia gum 2.68, carnauba wax 2.45 (g/sec). Angle of repose for all formulations were good (≤ 20o ) indicative of good flow properties. Physicochemical tests on Cloxacillin tablets showed mean values for hardness ≥ 4 kg, friability 0.446%, disintegration time 5.63 minutes. The tablets obtained from carnauba wax, however, were not satisfactory. CPC-derived tablets absorbed more moisture than those of acacia. The DSC of CPC had peak melting temperature of about 43.5oC. Conclusion: Study concludes that the binding strength of CPC compares favourably with that of acacia gum BP in the formulation of Cloxacillin tablets.