COMPARATIVE COMPACTION PROPERTIES OF VARIOUS MICROCRYSTALLINE CELLULOSE TYPES AND GENERIC PRODUCTS

The purpose of this review is to compare the tableting properties of c onventional microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) with those of other commo n direct compression diluents and of the numerous new MCC grades and b rands recently made available. After a brief discussion of the mechani sms of consolidation involved in the formation of MCC tablets, the fir st section deals with the basic mechanical properties of powders impor tant for compression. Values of parameters describing ductility, britt leness, elasticity and viscoelasticity are presented and discussed in relation with the degree of polymerization, the crystallinity, the moi sture content and the morphological properties of the materials. The t ableting properties of the powders during the compression process (den sification behavior, work of compression) and the mechanical strength of the finished products (compactibility) are examined. Special attent ion is given to the effects of moisture content, lubricants and other added substances on the performances of MCC products. Comparative tabl et weight variation data are provided for several MCC types from diffe rent supplies. Finally, aging of the MCC compacts is discussed in rela tion to environmental conditions, before warning the user in the concl usion on the considerable variability of MCC products currently availa ble on the market.