Asahi Kasei, which recently established its healthcare headquarters in the U.S., now offers Ceolus microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) with nitrite levels of 0.1 μg/g (ppm) or less to contribute to reducing the risk of potentially carcinogenic nitrosamine impurities in pharmaceuticals and nutritional supplements.
 
In 2018, a potentially carcinogenic nitrosamine impurity was detected in several pharmaceuticals. Since then, public awareness of the potential health hazards of nitrosamine has increased significantly worldwide. Guided by regional authorities, the pharmaceutical industry has been carrying out extensive assessments and research to identify the cause of the impurities.
 
One risk factor for the formation of nitrosamine is nitrosation – a reaction of secondary or tertiary amines with nitrites during or after the manufacturing process of drug substances and drug products. Reducing the concentration of nitrites in raw materials for pharmaceuticals is considered to be an effective way to lower the risk of nitrosamine formation.

Minimizing Nitrite Levels in Ceolus Grades

Asahi Kasei has been manufacturing Ceolus microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) in Nobeoka, Miyazaki, Japan since 1970. MCC is made from natural pulp, mainly used as an excipient for pharmaceuticals, nutritional supplements, and foods. Ceolus is primarily used as a tablet binder, an additive that provides shape and increases the volume of pharmaceutical tablets.
 
High-performance grades of Ceolus enable pharmaceutical and nutritional supplement manufacturers to realize challenging formulations, solve tableting issues, and produce unique and patient-friendly dosage forms. In order to reduce potential health hazards due to nitrosamine impurities, Asahi Kasei has succeeded in maintaining the nitrite concentration of Ceolus to 0.1 ppm or less.
 
“Controlling the nitrite concentration in our products is an important step to ensure the provision of safer pharmaceuticals and nutritional supplements. We will continue to work on further improvements, and emphasize the importance of reducing the risk of nitrosamine impurities,” says Hideyuki Kimura, Senior General Manager of Asahi Kasei’s Healthcare Materials Division responsible for Ceolus.
 
In January 2024, Asahi Kasei started full commercial operation of its second manufacturing facility for Ceolus at its Mizushima Works in Okayama Prefecture, Japan. This not only raises supply capacity but also enhances the stability of supply through production at multiple sites.