What is Carboxymethyl Cellulose?
Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) is a cellulose derivative with carboxymethyl groups (-CH2COOH) bound to some of the hydroxyl groups of the glucopyranose monomers that make up the cellulose backbone. It issynthesized by reacting cellulose with chloroacetic acid under alkaline conditions. The result is a white, odorless, tasteless solid substance that is water soluble and has good purity, density and viscosity properties.
Uses of CMC in Food
CMC finds wide application in the food as a thickening, stabilizing and emulsifying agent. It is used to improve mouthfeel, control crystallization and prevent ingredients from separating. Some common food uses of CMC include:
- Sauces, soups and gravies: CMC helps thicken sauces and gravies while maintaining clarity. It allows manufacturers to use less oil and fat.
- Dairy products: CMC is added to non-dairy creamers, coffee whiteners and whipped toppings to maintain smooth texture. It stabilizes ice cream and prevents formation of ice crystals.
- Processed meat: Small amounts of CMC are added to sausages and other processed meats to improve water binding capacity and prevent moisture loss.
- Bakery products: CMC acts as a tenderizing and volume enhancing agent in breads and cakes. It helps retain moisture and freshness for longer.
- Canned products: As a stabilizer and suspending agent, CMC is used in canned pie fillings, soups, broths and ready-to-eat meals.
Uses of CMC in Pharmaceutical
Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) finds wide application in the pharmaceutical due to its excellent viscosity, stabilization, suspension and film forming properties:
- Tablet coatings and capsules: CMC forms smooth, shiny coats and helps extend drug release from tablets. It is used as an encapsulating agent for powders.
- Suspensions and emulsions: Low viscosity CMC grades are used to form stable suspensions of insoluble drugs and oily liquids respectively.
- Binders and fillers: CMC acts as a binder in tablets and capsules. It improves flow and compression characteristics as a filler.
- Thickening gels: CMC gels are used for topical applications like creams, ointments and gels due to their pseudoplastic rheological properties.
Uses of CMC in Petroleum
In the petroleum, CMC finds the following important applications:
- Drilling fluids: CMC increases viscosity and improves suspending ability of drilling fluids. It prevents wall collapse and cash flow problems.
- Cement additives: CMC is added to oil well cement slurries to control setting time and improve bonding, fluid loss control and compressive strength development.
- Enhanced oil recovery: High purity grades of CMC are used for profile modification and disproportionate permeability reduction in polymer flooding techniques for enhanced oil recovery.
Uses of CMC in Other Industries
Apart from the major uses above, CMC also finds applications in:
- Paints and coatings: As a thickener and suspension agent, CMC improves the consistency and extending capabilities of paints.
- Paper : CMC is used as a binder and suspending agent in paper coating and sizing. It provides strength and print characteristics to paper.
-Textiles: It acts as a softening, sizing and weight increasing agent in textile sizing and finishing.
-Construction: CMC is used in cement admixtures, grouts, adhesives and fire resistant compositions due to its water retention and film forming properties.
With its ability to modify viscosities, emulsify, stabilize, improve binding and suspend solid particles, CMC has become an indispensable chemical across a wide range of industries. Its versatility, effectiveness at low concentrations and approval for food applications have cemented its position as a leading multifunctional additive in the chemical.
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