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Clinical pharmacy PharmD program Third level Phytochemistry-1 (PG-504)

• It is indigestible by humans (lack of cellulase, that hydrolyse β-(1→4)

glycosidic linkage) but only digested and utilized by ruminants (cows and

sheep).

➢ Undigested cellulose, constituents and called (dietary fiber), that is important

for:

▪ Decreasing the absorption of glucose and cholesterol from the intestine

▪ It also reduces the incidence of: CVD, and Colon cancer

▪ A hydrophilic bulking agent for stool, acts as stool softener

▪ Aids intestinal mobility,

▪ So, prevent and treat constipation

➢ Apart from being a pharmaceutical necessity, cellulose represent the

core material in paper, clothes industry as well as cellophane, rayon

("artificial silk"), photographic films

Manufacture of Cellulose:

Commercial preparation of cellulose involves the removal of lignin and

non-cellulose polysaccharides. The starting material is wood as small chips.

o Removal of lignin: By either of the following three methods:

1) Sulfite method:

Wood is cooked with a solution of sodium bisulfite and sulfurous acid (lignin

forms lignosulfonate).

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