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

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