Correlation between the powder characteristics and particle morphology of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and its tablet application performance

A quantitative approach is described to finding the correlation between the MCC application performance in tablets, which is key to pharmaceutical applications, and two kinds of powder features, 1) physical properties and 2) morphology, using multiple stepwise regression analysis to eliminate the statistically insignificant factors. The powder compressibility index was shown to be the primary factor affecting the tablet performance. However, no single powder physical property correlated with tablet performance in samples of varied particle shape. By contrast, a strong correlation was observed between the fractal dimension/shape factors and the main parameters affecting the tablet application performance. Circularity, the key shape factor, was shown to be the main indicator of tablet performance in drug delivery applications. The closer the particles to spherical shape, the shorter their disintegration time and greater the dissolution rate. These morphological effects were demonstrated across a wide range of particle sizes and shapes. • MCC particle morphology quantitatively correlates tablet application performance. • MCC particle fractal dimension affects the tablet compressibility and dissolution. • The larger the fractal dimension, the greater the tablet hardness. • The circularity of MCC particles affects the powder fluidity. • The greater the circularity, the better the drug dissolution rate.