PRODUCTION OF CELLULOSE AND MICROCRYSTALLINE CELLULOSE (MCC) FROM THE STEM OF THE MEDICINAL PLANT PHYSALIS ANGULATA

The purpose of this study is to develop a technology for obtaining cellulose from the aerial part of Physalis angulata and producing microcrystalline cellulose intended for application in the pharmaceutical industry. In the study, the plant marc was crushed to 3–5 cm, and easily and poorly soluble substances were separated by extraction. Cellulose was obtained by the soda pulping method using NaOH solutions of different concentrations. The obtained samples were bleached in a 6% hydrogen peroxide solution, washed, dried, and evaluated for their physicochemical properties. The results showed that treatment with a 6% NaOH solution was the most optimal condition in terms of cellulose yield and quality indicators. Under this regime, the cellulose yield reached 38.2%. The study demonstrated that obtaining microcrystalline cellulose from Physalis angulata marc is a promising approach for expanding the local raw material base and for its potential use in tablet production.