Microcrystalline cellulose suspensions: effects on the surface tension at the air-water boundary

In the light of the recent clinical employment of microcrystalline cellulos e (MCC) as a pharmaceutical device, in the present work the changes in surf ace tension caused by the addition of MCC powders to aqueous solutions have been studied. Further, analyses to give a preliminary characterization the soluble solute, considered the responsible of the surface tension changes, have also been performed. The Wilhelmy plate technique has been employed f or the surface tension determinations, while for the characterization of th e solute polymerization degree, elemental analysis, X-ray photoelectron spe ctroscopy and conductivity measurements have been performed. The obtained r esults are preliminary discussed in the light of the clinical evidence. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.