Effect of beta glucosidase inhibitor from lichen extract in microcrystalline cellulose preparation from water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes)

Objective: Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) is an excipient commonly used in the manufacturing of pharmaceutical preparations, especially tablet. MCC has been successfully made from water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) through enzymatic hydrolysis process. This study aimed to find the effect of β-glucosidase inhibitor from lichen extract to the yield of MCC, the optimum conditions of enzymatic hydrolysis including pH and reaction time and characteristics of MCC obtained compared to reference, Avicel PH-101. Method: The study was began with extraction of cellulose enzyme and followed by determination of optimum beta-glucosidase inhibitor concentration. Then, this conditions were used for enzymatic hydrolysis of α-cellulose to MCC, followed by identification and characterization of MCC obtained and compared with Avicel PH- 101. Results: The optimum concentration of inhibitor was 120 ppm. A little higher yield of MCC was obtained when inhibitor extract is used in hydrolysis alfa-cellulose to MCC. The identity of MCC obtained was similar to infrared spectrum of reference. Other characteristics of MCC obtained were powder in the form of a slightly coarse, odorless and tasteless and slightly yellowish than reference. Conclusion: Addition of extract of Beta glucosidase inhibitor did not improve the MCC yield significantly, but identity and characteristics of MCC obtained showed similarities to the microcrystalline cellulose reference (Avicel PH = 101).