Physicochemical Characterization of Cellulose and Powder Extracts of Cocoa Pod Husk as Pharmaceutical Excipients

Background:Granules of extracted cellulose from cocoa pod husk (CPHC) and powder extract from the crude cocoa pod husk (CPHP) were characterized physicochemically for possible applications as pharmaceutical excipients.Aim: To determine the percentage content of cellulose and powder extracts from the crude cocoa pod husk as excipients in pharmaceutical formulation of solid dosage forms (tablets).Method: Cellulose was obtained from dried and sized cocoa pod shell through a chemical process involving washing; filtration and bleaching at 40-60oC with 3.5nitric acid; sodium hypochlorite and sodium hydroxide then whitened with the use of hydrogen peroxide. The cellulose and powder extracts obtained were subjected to physicochemical tests (bulk density; true density; flowability; moisture content; sorption and hydration capacity).Results: The cellulose extract yield was approximately 31. Both the cellulose and powder extract exhibited low bulk density; high porosity; high true density indicating poor packing characteristics of their granules but good compressibility properties. The powder extract (CPHP) had high moisture contents. The angle of repose of the cellulose is lower than that of the powder extract (340 and 440 respectively). Both materials (cellulose and powder) had high hydration capacity (3.02 to 3.07) comparable to standard disintegrants (micro crystalline cellulose and maize starch of 3.06 and 3.05 respectively).Conclusion: The yield of about 31indicates a high content of cellulose in cocoa pod husk. The extracted cellulose (CPHC) and the powder extract (CPHP) upon physicochemical characterization indicated their relevance as disintegrants in direct compression and wet granulation pharmaceutical formulation methods respectively

Phytochemical Screening and Quantification of Flavonoids from Leaf Extract of Jatropha Curcas Linn

Background: The Jatropha curcas L.(Euphorbiaceae) herb is found in SouthWest; Nigeria and other parts of West Africa; and is claimed to possess anti-hypertensive property. Objective: The phytochemical screening and flavonoid quantification of the leaf extract of Jatropha curcas Linn were studied. Methods: The phytochemical screening of the methanolic leaf extract of J. curcas L. was carried using acceptable and standard methods. The flavonoid contents of the leaf extract of Jatropha curcas L. were determined using thin layer chromatography (TLC); infrared spectroscopy (IRS) and a reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results: The phytochemical screening of the methanolic extract of the leaves of the plant shows the presence of alkaloids; cardiac glycosides; cyanogenic glycosides; phlobatannins; tannins; flavonoids and saponins. To quantify the flavonoid contents of leaf extract of Jatropha curcas L ; extracts from the plant samples where examined in a C-18 column with UV detection and isocratic elution with acetonitrile; water (45:55). Levels of flavonoids (flavones) in leaves ranged from 6:90 to 8:85 mg / g dry weight. Conclusion : Results indicate that the methanolic extract of the leaves of Jatropha curcas L. contains useful active ingredients which may serve as potential drug for the treatment of diseases. In addition; a combination of TLC; IRS and HPLC can be used to analyse and quantify the flavonoids present in the leaves of Jatropha curcas L