PRODUCTION AND IN VIVO TOXICITY TESTING OF MICROCRYSTALLINE CELLULOSE DERIVED FROM BACTERIAL CELLULOSE

The aim of the present research is production of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) derived from bacterial cellulose and estimation of MCC micromorphological and toxicological characteristics. The microcrystalline cellulose was derived from bacterial cellulose using acid hydrolysis. Shape and size of the MCC microcrystallites were studied using scanning electron microscopy. Preclinical toxicity testing of the MCC preparations included acute and subacute toxicity experiments. The micromorphological characteristics of fibrillar structure of bacterial cellulose and MCC microcrystallites derived from bacterial cellulose were visualized as a study result. It has been stated that microcrystallites of bacterial MCC had a prolate form in comparison with plant (cotton) MCC. Short fusiform shape of microcrystallites is shown for the plant MCC. The diameter of the microcrystallites derived from bacterial cellulose reduced after hydrolysis without shortening in microcrystallites length. Consequently, the amorphous parts are located substantially on the surface of the fusiform body. The analysis of the study results of acute and subacute toxicity has shown that intragastric MCC administration by fixed dose 4,9 - 43,4 - 434,8 mg/kg to the experimental animals (white non-pedigree rats) did not kill them or deviate from normal physical state. It was found that bacterial MCC may be classified in accordance with State standard GOST 121007-76 (State standard on harmful substance) as IV hazard class "low-hazard substance".

bacterial cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, microcrystallite, acute toxicity, subacute toxicity