Low Substituted Hydroxypropyl Cellulose (L-HPC) is a modified cellulose polymer that is commonly used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food applications. It is obtained by chemically modifying natural cellulose through a reaction with propylene oxide, which introduces hydroxypropyl groups onto the cellulose backbone.
The degree of substitution (DS) refers to the number of hydroxypropyl groups that are introduced per anhydroglucose unit of the cellulose molecule. L-HPC has a low degree of substitution, typically between 1.2 and 2.5, which means that it has a relatively low number of hydroxypropyl groups per cellulose unit.
L-HPC has many useful properties, including the ability to form gels and control the release of active ingredients. It is also soluble in water and compatible with a wide range of other compounds, making it a versatile ingredient in many different formulations. In the pharmaceutical industry, L-HPC is often used as a binder, disintegrant, and sustained-release agent in tablets and capsules. In cosmetics, it is used as a thickener and stabilizer, while in the food industry, it can be used as a texturizer and emulsifier.
HPC L and L-HPC are both types of hydroxypropyl cellulose, which is a water-soluble polymer commonly used in the pharmaceutical industry as a binder, thickener, and stabilizer in tablet formulations. The main difference between the two is the degree of substitution of hydroxypropyl groups on the cellulose molecule.
HPC L, also known as high substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose, has a relatively low degree of substitution of hydroxypropyl groups on the cellulose molecule, typically ranging from 2 to 3. It has a lower molecular weight and is more water-soluble than L-HPC. It is often used as a binder, disintegrant, and viscosity enhancer in tablet formulations, as it can help to improve tablet hardness and disintegration time.
L-HPC, also known as low-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose, has a higher degree of substitution of hydroxypropyl groups on the cellulose molecule, typically ranging from 3 to 4. It has a higher molecular weight and is less water-soluble than HPC L. It is often used as a sustained-release agent in tablet formulations, as it can help to control the release of the active ingredient over a longer period of time.
In summary, HPC L and L-HPC are both hydroxypropyl cellulose polymers, but differ in their degree of substitution, molecular weight, and water solubility. HPC L is commonly used as a binder, disintegrant, and viscosity enhancer in tablet formulations, while L-HPC is often used as a sustained-release agent.
L-HPC is widely used as a binder and disintegrant in tablet formulations. It can enhance the hardness, friability, and disintegration time of tablets, and facilitate the release of the active ingredient.
L-HPC can be used as a matrix-forming agent in sustained-release formulations to control the release of the active ingredient over an extended period of time.
L-HPC can be used as a film-forming agent in tablet and pellet coatings to improve the appearance, taste, and stability of the dosage form.
L-HPC can be used as a wetting and binding agent in granulation processes to improve the flow and compressibility of the granules.
L-HPC can be used as a suspending and thickening agent in liquid formulations, such as oral suspensions and syrups.
L-HPC can be used as a matrix-forming agent in transdermal patches to control the release of the active ingredient over time.