Oxidized Cellulose

This article is compiled based on the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) – 2025 Edition

Issued and maintained by the United States Pharmacopeial Convention (USP)

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1 DEFINITION

Oxidized Cellulose contains NLT 16.0% and NMT 24.0% of carboxyl groups (COOH), calculated on the dried basis. It is sterile.

2 IDENTIFICATION

A.

Sample solution: 200 mg in 10 mL of 0.25 N sodium hydroxide

Analysis 1: Shake the Sample solution for 1 min. Add 10 mL of water, and shake.

Acceptance criteria 1: The Sample solution shows no more than a slight haze and is substantially free from fibers and foreign particles.

Analysis 2: Allow the resulting solution to stand for 10 min.

Acceptance criteria 2: Any swollen fibers initially present are no longer visible.

Analysis 3: Acidify the resulting solution with 3 N hydrochloric acid.

Acceptance criteria 3: A flocculent white precipitate is formed.

3 ASSAY

3.1 PROCEDURE

Solution A: 20 mg/mL of calcium acetate

Blank: 50.0 mL of Solution A

Titrimetric system

(See Titrimetry (541).)

Mode: Direct titration

Titrant: 0.1 N sodium hydroxide VS

Endpoint detection: Visual

Analysis: Place the Sample in a 125-mL conical ask. Add 50.0 mL of Solution A, swirl until the sample is completely covered, allow the mixture to stand for 30 min, then add phenolphthalein TS. Titrate the solution with Titrant. Perform a blank determination, and make any necessary correction. Each mL of Titrant is equivalent to 4.502 mg of carboxyl groups (COOH).

Acceptance criteria: 16.0%–24.0% on the dried basis

4 IMPURITIES

4.1 Residue on Ignition (281)

NMT 0.15%

4.2 LIMIT OF NITROGEN

Solution A: 40 mg/mL of boric acid

Solution B: Methyl red TS and bromocresol green TS (1:4)

Sample: 1 g, previously dried under vacuum over phosphorus pentoxide for 18 h

Titrimetric system (See Titrimetry (541).)

Mode: Direct titration

Titrant: 0.02 N sulfuric acid VS

Endpoint detection: Visual

Analysis: Place a 125-mL conical ask, containing 30 mL of Solution A and 6 drops of Solution B, beneath the condenser of the distillation apparatus so that the tip of the condenser is well below the surface of the resulting solution. To a 500-mL Kjeldahl ask, add the Sample, and add 1 g of Devarda's alloy, 100 mL of recently boiled water, a small lump of paran, and 100 mL of 1 N sodium hydroxide. Connect the Kjeldahl ask to the condenser by a suitable trap bulb. Heat the mixture in the ask until 45–50 mL of distillate has collected in the receiver. Rinse the condenser, and titrate the resulting solution with Titrant to a pale pink endpoint. Perform a blank determination, and make any necessary correction. Each mL of Titrant is equivalent to 0.2801 mg of nitrogen.

Acceptance criteria: NMT 0.5%

4.3 LIMIT OF FORMALDEHYDE

Solution A: Formaldehyde in water (1 in 40,000)

Standard: 0.50 mL of Solution A

Sample: 500 mg

Instrumental conditions

(See Ultraviolet-Visible Spectroscopy (857).)

Mode: Vis

Analytical wavelength: 570 nm

Blank: Mixture of 0.5 mL of water and 10 mL of chromotropic acid TS

Analysis: Transfer the Sample to a 500-mL iodine flask. Add 250 mL of water, and allow to stand for NLT 2 h with intermittent shaking. Pipet 0.50 mL each of the supernatant from the resulting solution and the Standard into two separate glass-stoppered test tubes. To each test tube add 10 mL of chromotropic acid TS. Stopper the tubes loosely, and heat in a boiling water bath for 30 min. Cool, and determine the absorbance of each solution against the Blank.

Acceptance criteria: 0.5%; the absorbance of the Sample is NMT the Standard.

5 SPECIFIC TESTS

5.1 STERILITY TESTS (71)

Sample: 250 mg

Analysis: Proceed as directed in the chapter, adding 0.5 mL of 0.1 N sodium hydroxide to the portions of media used.

Acceptance criteria: Meets the requirements

5.2 LOSS ON DRYING (731)

Analysis: Dry under vacuum over phosphorus pentoxide for 18 h.

Acceptance criteria: NMT 15.0%

6 ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

6.1 PACKAGING AND STORAGE

Preserve as described in Packaging and Storage Requirements (659), Injection Packaging, Packaging for constitution, protected from direct sunlight. Store in a cold place.

6.2 LABELING

The package bears a statement to the effect that the sterility of Oxidized Cellulose cannot be guaranteed if the package bears evidence of damage, or if the package has been previously opened. Oxidized Cellulose meets the requirements for Labeling (7), Labels and Labeling for Injectable Products.