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Low Substitue-Hydroxpropyl Cellulose (L-HPC）

01 Overview

Low-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose is a non-ionic polymer that is insoluble in water but swells upon hydration. Leveraging this property, low-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose is primarily employed as a disintegrant in the preparation of solid oral pharmaceuticals.

◆ Name: Low Substitue-Hydroxpropyl Cellulose (L-HPC）
◆ Category: Pharmaceutic adjuvant
◆ Character:White or off-white powder,no smell,tasteless;insoluble in ethanol, acetone and ether.
◆ CAS No:9004-64-2
◆ Execution standard:CP2015,USP

Low-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose is a medicinal auxiliary material specially manufactured for tablet production. This product is made of alkali cellulose as raw material through propylene oxide etherification. The structure contains many hydrophilic groups, a vast inner surface and porosity, fast moisture absorption, and a high swelling rate (much better than starch), which can accelerate the disintegration of tablets with poor disintegration and improve the dispersion. In addition, the tablet’s fineness can accelerate the drug’s dissolution rate. At the same time, its rough structure can have a more significant inlaid effect on the pill, enhancing the bonding strength and thereby improving the hardness and smoothness of the tablet. Therefore, it is the preferred disintegrant of the tablet.

Type Application Assay Particle
LH11 Disintegrant to prevent the tablet crack and for direct compression. 10.0-12.9% 55μm
LH21 Disintegrant and adhesive to tablet by wet granulation 10.0-12.9% 45μm
LH22 Normal disinterating property, used while no need of strong cohesive force. 7.0-9.9% 45μm

02 Preparation Application

Low-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose finds extensive application in oral solid dosage forms. It primarily serves as a tablet disintegrant or as a binder in wet granulation processes. It may also be employed in rapidly disintegrating tablets prepared by direct compression.

Low-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose is available in numerous grades, differing in particle size and degree of substitution. LH-11, featuring medium substitution and the largest particle size, is primarily employed to prevent tablet top-cracks and as a disintegrant in direct compression. LH-21 is chiefly used as a binder and disintegrant in wet-granulated tablets. LH-31, with its smaller particles, is mainly utilised in extrusion granulation, as its reduced particle size facilitates easier passage through sieves. LH-22 and LH-32, with lower substitution degrees, may be employed when substantial binding strength is not required. For applications demanding greater cohesive force, higher substitution grades such as LH-20 and LH-30 are recommended.

Typically, low-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose is incorporated into formulations at concentrations ranging from 5 to 25%.

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