Sustainable production of pure nanocrystalline cellulose (NCCs) as a binder for enhanced aspirin tablets: Valorization of palm kernel waste

The search for new efficient drug-excipient from natural resources will be of interest in drug delivery research. The current study demonstrates the optimal valorization of palm kernel (PK) residue to create value-added materials for biomedical applications. Valorization of palm kernel (PK) residue by producing nanocrystalline cellulose (NCCs) as a binder in aspirin tablets was studied. Applying the factorial design (2 2 ) and investigating the effect of two independent variables with two levels involving binder type (Avicel and NCCs), and binder concentration (40% and 50% w/w). Powder blends containing NCCs (F1 and F2) exhibited superior flow properties compared to Avicel blends (F3 and F4). The physiochemical analysis of PK residues was studied and Characterization was investigated by FT-IR spectroscopic analysis, phase analysis by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and TEM analysis. The Formulated tablets were evaluated via studying weight variation, hardness, friability, wetting test, dispersion times and water solubility. The powder blend was evaluated and the In-vitro dissolution was studied. Post-compression evaluation showed all tablets met USP standards for weight variation (< 2%) and demonstrated acceptable hardness and friability (< 0.75%), with NCCs tablets showing faster wetting, shorter dispersion times (21–48 s), and improved aspirin solubility due to the high surface area of nanocellulose. NCCs were non-cytotoxic to normal human epithelial cells (1-BJ1) and exhibited broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against Bacillus cereus , Bacillus subtilis , and Clostridium perfringens . Additionally, NCCs tablets showed prebiotic activity, particularly with L. casei . These findings highlight NCCs as a biocompatible, effective excipient for enhanced tablet performance and potential biomedical applications.