FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF ASCORBIC ACID TABLETS USING MICROCRYSTALLINE CELLULOSE (MCC) ISOLATED FROM OIL PALM EMPTY FRUIT BUNCHES (OPEFB)

ELISA PUTRI; FAZRINA ZAHARA; MUTTAQIN

doi:10.22159/ijap.2026v18i1.53387

Authors

ELISA PUTRI Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitas Sains Cut Nyak Dhien, Aceh-24415, Indonesia
FAZRINA ZAHARA Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitas Sains Cut Nyak Dhien, Aceh-24415, Indonesia
MUTTAQIN Department of Computer Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Sains Cut Nyak Dhien, Aceh-24415, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22159/ijap.2026v18i1.53387

Keywords:

Ascorbic acid, Filler, Microcrystalline cellulose, Tablet, OPEFB

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the composition of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) isolated from oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB) on the quality attributes of ascorbic acid tablets.

Methods: Oil palm empty fruit bunches were processed into powder, α-cellulose was isolated and hydrolyzed to produce MCC. The MCC was characterized for physicochemical properties. Four tablet formulations (F1–F4) containing varying proportions of OPEFB-derived MCC and commercial Avicel® MCC were prepared. Tablets were evaluated for weight uniformity, size uniformity, hardness, friability, and disintegration time. Experimental tablets were compared with a commercially available ascorbic acid tablet to assess the suitability of OPEFB-derived MCC as an alternative excipient.

Results: MCC isolated from OPEFB was suitable as an excipient for ascorbic acid tablets. mean tablet weights for F1–F4 and the commercial tablet were 265.00 mg, 266.50 mg, 285.00 mg, 287.00 mg, and 312.00 mg, respectively. Hardness testing indicated that tablets containing OPEFB MCC were harder than those with Avicel® MCC and commercial tablets; however, all formulations exhibited hardness values below 4 kg. Friability values for F1–F4 and the commercial tablet were 0.46%, 0.76%, 0.15%, 0.30%, and 0.00%, respectively (all<1%). Disintegration time were 8.90, 6.51, 9.16, 5.39, and 11.68 min for F1–F4 and the commercial tablet, respectively (all ≤15 min).

Conclusion: OPEFB-derived MCC has potential as an excipient in ascorbic acid tablets and influences their physical quality attributes. While all formulations met pharmacopeial standards for friability and disintegration time, improvements are required for weight uniformity and hardness.

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