Powdered Cellulose or Cellulose Powder is an organic compound derived from the cellular structure of plants. It is used in a wide range of applications, from the food industry to pharmaceuticals, due to its unique properties as a binding agent, filler, and stabilizer. Being indigestible by humans, cellulose powder contributes to dietary fiber without adding calories.

Composition. Cellulose powder is made of pure cellulose, a long-chain glucose molecule that forms the cell walls of plants. It is a natural polymer and one of the most abundant organic components on Earth.

Physical Properties. It acts as an anti-caking and stabilizing agent in many food products. Its water-absorbing capacity makes it useful for improving the texture and stability of products.

Industrial Production Process

The production of cellulose powder, an organic polymer used in a wide range of applications from the food and pharmaceutical industries to personal care products, follows a detailed process that involves the extraction and processing of cellulose from plant sources. Here is a detailed overview of the process.

• Selection. Cellulose is primarily extracted from wood and cotton, which are rich in cellulose fibers. The selection of raw material depends on the purity and quality of cellulose required.
• Preparation. The plant material is cleaned to remove impurities, such as resins, waxes, and other non-cellulosic components. This may include washing and bleaching processes.
• Extraction. Cellulose is extracted through chemical processes that remove lignin and hemicellulose, leaving nearly pure cellulose. These processes can include treatment with alkaline solutions and the use of bleaching agents.
• Milling. The purified cellulose is then mechanically milled to achieve the desired fine powder consistency. The particle size of the powder can be controlled based on the intended end use.
• Dedusting. The cellulose powder undergoes dedusting to remove ultrafine particles and ensure a uniform quality of the product.
• Quality Control. The cellulose powder undergoes rigorous quality control checks to verify purity, particle size, absence of contaminants, and physical properties, such as water absorption and bulk density.

What it is for and where

Food Industry. It is added to products such as grated cheeses, bread, diet products, and meal replacements to prevent caking and improve texture. Additionally, it serves as dietary fiber in many fortified foods.

Pharmaceutical Applications. In drug production, cellulose powder is used as an excipient (1) to improve the stability of active ingredients and facilitate tablet compression and in other applications (2).

Safety

 It contributes to digestive health by increasing stool bulk and facilitating intestinal transit. However, it is important to consume adequate amounts of water to avoid potential side effects like intestinal blockage.

It is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by food regulatory authorities, but its use is subject to specific limits depending on the application.

References_____________________________________________________________________

(1) Pesonen T, Paronen P, Puurunen T. Evaluation of a novel cellulose powder as a filler-binder for direct compression of tablets. Pharm Weekbl Sci. 1989 Feb 24;11(1):13-9. doi: 10.1007/BF01972909. PMID: 2710639.

Abstract. A novel form of cellulose powder was evaluated as a filler-binder in tablets. The particle, powder, flow and binding properties of this experimental cellulose material were compared with those of two commercial microcrystalline celluloses, Avicel PH 101 and Emcocel. The effect of various storage conditions on the physical stability of tablets compressed from celluloses was also evaluated. The particle size and shape of experimental cellulose powder differed markedly from those of microcrystalline celluloses. Experimental cellulose contained mainly large and roughly spherical agglomerates of particles, among which were few smaller regularly shaped particles. Because of spherical particle shape, the experimental cellulose powder flowed better than microcrystalline celluloses, which consisted of much more irregularly shaped particles. Experimental cellulose formed stronger tablets than microcrystalline celluloses. It also acted more effectively than microcrystalline celluloses as a binding material in tablets containing poorly compressible ascorbic acid and acetaminophenone. This may be due to the extensive surface area of the particles of experimental cellulose powder. The specific surface area of this material was over 50 times as great as that of microcrystalline celluloses. This indicates an extremely porous structure of cellulose agglomerates. Tablets containing experimental cellulose powder were able to resist a permanent loss in tablet strength at different storage conditions better than tablets containing microcrystalline celluloses. According to the results of this study an experimental agglomerated form of cellulose powder is a very advantageous material as a filler-binder for direct compression of tablets.

(2) Qiao XF, Zhang J, Zhang QW, Li X, Bai YH, Li TL, Zhang HP. Intranasal Cellulose Powder For Pregnant Women With Allergic Rhinitis. Am J Ther. 2022 Jul 1;29(4):470-473. doi: 10.1097/MJT.0000000000001247. PMID: 33021542.