Biological and physicochemical characteristics of nanocellulose from sugarcane molasses
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Date
2021-03-17
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Kamuzu University of Health Sciences
Abstract
Type of study/Place of study: The research design is an experimental method and will be
conducted at the Pharmacy laboratories.
Background and Introduction: Cellulose is the most abundant polymer on earth and is
regarded as a very important raw material for several purposes. Potential applications
include barrier films, antimicrobial films, biomedical implants, pharmaceuticals and drug
delivery. By extracting cellulose at the nanoscale, the majority of the defects associated
with the hierarchical structure of cellulose can be minimized, and a new cellulose based
‘‘building block’’ is available for the next generation of cellulose based composites.
Therefore, this experimental study focusing on determining the suitability of
nanocellulose extracted from sugarcane molasses as excipients in manufacturing
pharmaceutical products.
Study Objectives: The aim of the study is to investigate the biological and
physicochemical characteristics of nanocellulose from sugarcane molasses. The specific
objectives are three-fold: i) to determine the cytotoxicity of nanocellulose sugarcane
molasses, ii) to assess the physical characteristics of nanocellulose from sugarcane
molasses, iii) to evaluate chemical properties of nanocellulose of sugarcane molasses.
Methodology: Sugarcane molasses will be collected from Nchalo Sugar Mill, followed
by cellulose extraction by acid hydrolysis to obtain nanocellulose. The generated
nanocellulose will be subjected to various biological and physicochemical standard assays
in order to elucidate their suitability as excipients in pharmaceutical products.
Data Management and Dissemination: The results will be presented to the College of
Medicine (COM) staff and the pharmacy department and copies will be made available to
the undergraduate research coordinators, College of Medicine Research and Ethics
Committee (COMREC) and College of Medicine library. It is expected that the findings
from this study will provide useful information for use of nanocellulose extracted from
sugarcane molasses can be suitable excipients in manufacturing pharmaceutical products
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Research Subject Categories::MEDICINE