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Sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) is a water-soluble derivation of the most abundant polymer in nature, cellulose. The main reason for using CMC/cellulose gum in a formulation is to increase its viscosity. This feature makes CMC/cellulose gum functional in the following ways:
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It acts as a thickener, binder, stabilizer, protective colloid, suspending agent, and rheology, or flow control, agent.
- It forms films that are resistant to oils, greases, and organic solvents
- It dissolves rapidly is cold or hot water.
- It is suitable for use in food systems.
- It is physiologically inert.
- It is an anionic polyelectrolyte.
Cellulose gum is available in many different viscosity type. The following cellulose gum viscosities are measured at either 1% or 2% solution concentrations using a Brookfield Viscometer Model LVE at 25ºC.
| CMC 700 LZR |
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25 - 100 |
| CMC 800 MZR |
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400 – 800 |
| CMC 931 MZR |
|
800 – 3,100 |
| CMC 824 HZR |
2,000 – 4,000 |
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| CMC 846 HZR |
4,000 – 6,000 |
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| CMC 935 HZR |
3,000 – 5,000 |
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The above grades of Cellulose gum meet the standards for identity and purity established in the Food Chemicals Codex and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the Untied Nations World Health Organization (FAO/WHO) and may be used in accordance with the FDA Code of Federal Regulations Title 21, Section 182.1745 – Substances that are generally recognized as safe (GRAS).
With the variety of viscosity types, solution properties, and degrees of substitution, cellulose gum finds its way into numerous industries. The following overview gives an idea of the broad applications:
| Food |
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| baked goods |
adhesion, fat exclusion |
film formation, viscosity |
| beverages |
body, texture, stabilizer |
rheology, dispersant |
| frozen desserts |
texturizing, stabilizing |
crystal, growth, retarder,inhibition |
| low fat,low calorie foods |
fat & sugar substitute |
rheology |
| milk & yogurt drinks |
stabilization |
interaction with milk protein, dispersant |
| pet foods |
binder, lubricant |
adhesion, rheology |
| sauces, syrups, &toppings |
stabilization, thickening |
rheology |
| Personal Care |
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| creams & lotions |
thickening |
viscosity, film formation |
| denture adhesive |
adhesion |
highly viscous interface |
| toothpaste |
viscosifier, dispersant |
rheology |
| Pharmaceutical |
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| Suspension |
viscosifier, dispersant |
rheology |
| Industrial |
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| petroleum drilling fluids |
fluid loss reduction |
clay interaction |
| detergents |
anti-redeposition aid |
soil suspension |
| paper |
viscosifier, binder |
rheology |
| textiles |
wrap sizing |
film formation |
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