The Microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) is a highly refined, partially depolymerized form of cellulose derived primarily from plant sources such as wood pulp or cotton. Its manufacture typically involves acid hydrolysis, which breaks down the amorphous regions of cellulose to isolate the crystalline portions, resulting in a white, odorless, and tasteless powder. The unique three-dimensional crystalline architecture of MCC imparts it with outstanding mechanical and physicochemical properties, such as high compressibility, chemical inertness, and uniform particle size distribution.

MCC is extensively utilized across multiple industries, with pharmaceuticals being the most prominent sector for its application. In solid dosage formulations, especially in tablets and capsules, MCC acts as a strong binder, filler, and disintegrant. These roles are vital for ensuring tablet integrity, compressibility, and efficient drug release upon ingestion. Its superior compressibility allows for the production of hard, stable tablets that rapidly disintegrate and deliver their active ingredients effectively in the gastrointestinal tract. Due to its chemical inertness and non-reactive nature, MCC does not interfere with the stability or efficacy of the pharmaceutical compounds it accompanies.

Apart from its pharmaceutical prominence, MCC serves as a versatile functional additive in the food and cosmetics industries. In food products, it is used as an anti-caking agent, texturizer, stabilizer, and fat substitute, enhancing the texture and stability of processed foods while providing bulk without adding calories. The European Union grants MCC the E number E460(i), confirming its safety and regulatory approval for various food applications. In cosmetics, MCC offers properties such as absorbency, gentle abrasiveness, viscosity enhancement, pharmaceutical excipient, tablet binding agent, food additive MCC, dietary fiber supplement, stabilizer and filler and stabilization, which contribute to the overall performance and sensory profile of products like creams, powders, and hair care items.

MCC’s physical characteristics—such as low moisture content, excellent flowability, and high binding capacity—make it indispensable for automated manufacturing processes across industries, ensuring both product uniformity and process efficiency. Furthermore, its status as a non-digestible fiber makes it generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for human consumption, contributing bulk to food products without caloric value. Ultimately, the versatility, chemical stability, and functionality of microcrystalline cellulose underlie its widespread adoption in pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic formulations worldwide.