Carboxymethylcellulose
Carboxymethylcellulose
Carboxymethylcellulose (pronunciation: kar-bok-see-meth-ul-SEL-yoo-lohs), also known as CMC or cellulose gum, is a chemically modified derivative of cellulose, the most abundant organic polymer on Earth.
Etymology
The term "Carboxymethylcellulose" is derived from its chemical structure. It is a cellulose derivative with carboxymethyl groups (-CH2-COOH) bound to some of the hydroxyl groups of the glucopyranose monomers that make up the cellulose backbone.
Description
Carboxymethylcellulose is a white, free-flowing powder. It is often used as its sodium salt, sodium carboxymethylcellulose. It is used in food science as a viscosity modifier or thickener, and to stabilize emulsions in various products including ice cream. In pharmaceuticals, it is used as a lubricant and as a thickening agent.
Related Terms
- Cellulose: An organic compound and the most abundant biopolymer on Earth.
- Polymer: A large molecule, or macromolecule, composed of many repeated subunits.
- Emulsion: A mixture of two or more liquids that are normally immiscible (unmixable or unblendable).
- Viscosity: A measure of a fluid's resistance to flow.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Carboxymethylcellulose
- Wikipedia's article - Carboxymethylcellulose
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