Provided are a low-substituted hydroxypropylcellulose powder having high
compressibility, good flowability and excellent disintegration, and a
method for producing the same. More specifically, provided is a method
for producing a low-substituted hydroxypropylcellulose powder having a
molar substitution number per anhydrous glucose unit of 0.05 to 1.0,
which is insoluble in water and swollenable by absorbing water,
comprising the steps of: adding an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution to
powdered pulp in such a manner that weight ratio of sodium hydroxide with
respect to anhydrous cellulose is 0.1 to 0.3 so as to produce alkali
cellulose; etherifying the obtained alkali cellulose to obtain a crude
product; neutralizing the sodium hydroxide contained in the obtained
crude reaction product; washing the resultant; drying; and pulverizing
using by compaction-grinding.