International Journal of PharmTech Research CODEN (USA): IJPRIF ISSN : 0974-4304 Vol.5, No.4, pp 1561-1571, Oct-Dec 2013 Physicochemical and functional characterization of microcrystalline cellulose from bamboo ( Dendrocalamus longispathus) Lalduhsanga Pachuau* 1 , C. Malsawmtluangi 1 , Nirmal Kumar Nath 1 , H. Ramdinsangi 1 , David C. Vanlalfakawma 2 , Shri Kant Tripathi 2 1 Department of Pharmacy, Regional Institute of Paramedical and Nursing Sciences. Zemabawk, Aizawl. 796017. Mizoram. India 2 Department of Forestry, Mizoram University. Tanhril, Aizawl. 796001. Mizoram. India *Corres author: aduhapc@gmail.com Phone: +91-9862362392 / +91-389-2350856 Fax: +91-389-2350856 Abstract: The present study is an investigation of the physicochemical and functional properties of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) prepared from bamboo (Dendrocalamus longispathus) fibers. Dendrocalamus longispathus bamboo is one of the 15 commercially important bamboo species in India that have been used in pulp and paper industries. The percentage cellulose and α-cellulose yield from the original material were 65.42 and 55.63 respectively. The properties of the prepared MCC were investigated and compared with standard Avicel PH101 MCC. Micromeritic properties such as average particle size, flow properties, porosity and density of the powder MCC samples were determined along with the total ash, moisture contents and swelling index. Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopic studies were also performed on both the prepared and standard MCC samples. Results from these analyses indicate that Dendrocalamus longispathus bamboo has a great potential as a green source of MCC. Keywords: microcrystalline cellulose; Dendrocalamus longispathus; physicochemical properties; functional properties. 1. Introduction Polymers derived from natural resources especially those from non-food sources are attracting increased attention in recent years mainly due to their biodegradability, low cost and unique physical properties. Cellulose is highly abundant classical example of renewable and biodegradable structural plant polymer which can be processed into whisker like microfibrils 1 . It is widely employed as a raw material to prepare a number of excipients. Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) represents a novel form of cellulose with unique physicochemical properties. It has an excellent compactibility and low chemical reactivity which makes it one of the most useful pharmaceutical excipients for direct compression tableting 2 . MCC also offered a significant opportunity for multiple uses in pharmaceutical industry, in food applications as a texturizing agent and fat replacer, and also, as