Ingredients --

Methylcellulose,
Hydroxymethylcellulose,
Carboxymethylcellulose

Chemical Formula:

Methylcellulose

Sodium Carboxymethylcellulose

Synonyms

Hydroxymethylcellulose, Carboxymethylcellulose

Description

Methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, and hydroxymethylcellulose are forms of the familiar polysacharide cellulose, treated to make it more soluble in water. Cellulose is a long chain made of the sugar glucose.

The long chains mix with water to make a thick syrup or gel.

Uses

Methylcellulose is used as a thickener in sauces and salad dressings, and as a thickener and stabilizer in ice cream, where it helps prevent ice crystals from forming during freezing or re-freezing after a thaw.

carboxymethylcellulose: InChI=1/C6H12O6.C2H4O2/c7-1-3(9)5(11)6(12)4(10)2-8;1-2(3)4/h1,3-6,8-12H,2H2;1H3,(H,3,4)/f/h;3H

hydroxybutyl methylcellulose: InChI=1/C44H86O19.C20H38O11/c1-9-27(45)17-53-25-35-37(55-19-29(47)11-3)39(56-20-30(48)12-4)42(59-23-33(51)15-7)44(62-35)63-38-36(26-54-18-28(46)10-2)61-43(60-24-34(52)16-8)41(58-22-32(50)14-6)40(38)57-21-31(49)13-5;1-21-9-11-13(23-3)15(24-4)18(27-7)20(30-11)31-14-12(10-22-2)29-19(28-8)17(26-6)16(14)25-5/h27-52H,9-26H2,1-8H3;11-20H,9-10H2,1-8H3

---

By Simon Quellen Field