Carboxymethyl cellulose
Carboxymethyl Cellulose
Carboxymethyl cellulose (pronunciation: kar-bok-see-meth-ul sel-yuh-lohs), often abbreviated as CMC, is a derivative of cellulose that is commonly used in a variety of industries due to its unique properties.
Etymology
The term "carboxymethyl" refers to the carboxymethyl group (-CH2-COOH) that is attached to the cellulose molecule during the production process. "Cellulose" is derived from the French word "cellule" for a small cell, and "ose," which is used in chemistry to form names of sugars.
Production
Carboxymethyl cellulose is produced by reacting cellulose with sodium hydroxide, followed by monochloroacetic acid. The resulting product is a white to cream-colored powder that is odorless and tasteless.
Uses
Carboxymethyl cellulose is used in a variety of applications due to its ability to act as a thickener, binder, stabilizer, and water retention agent. It is commonly used in the food industry, pharmaceutical industry, and cosmetics industry, among others.
In the food industry, it is used as a thickener and stabilizer in products such as ice cream and baked goods. In the pharmaceutical industry, it is used as a binder in tablet formulation and as a viscosity modifier in eye drops. In the cosmetics industry, it is used in products such as shampoos and lotions due to its ability to create a smooth, creamy texture.
Related Terms
- Cellulose
- Sodium hydroxide
- Monochloroacetic acid
- Food industry
- Pharmaceutical industry
- Cosmetics industry
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Carboxymethyl cellulose
- Wikipedia's article - Carboxymethyl cellulose
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