Cellulose derivatives are most commonly used to modify the release of drugs in tablet and capsule formulations for the purpose of tablet binding, thickening, film formation, water retention, adhesion, and as suspending and emulsifying agents. Annual cellulose synthesis by plants is close to 1012 tons. Plants contain approximately 33% cellulose whereas wood contains around 50 % and cotton contains 90%. This fact was the starting point of our research into understanding, designing, synthesising and finding new alternative applications for this well-known but underused biomaterial.
