How to Use Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose CMC?

March 4, 2025

use sodium carboxymethyl cellulose cmc as a thickener

Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose CMC Product Introduction

Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, commonly known as CMC or sodium carboxymethyl cellulose gum, is a cellulose ether synthesized from cellulose through chemical processes. What is CMC meaning? The abbreviation CMC stands for its chemical formula that defines its molecular structure that is made up of D-glucose units linked by β(1→4) glycosidic bonds.

This sodium carboxymethyl cellulose powder has the characteristic of being a white or off-white fibrous powder or granules, and the density is 0.5-0.7 g/cm³. It is non-volatile, almost tasteless, and hygroscopic. It is highly soluble in water and turns into a clear gel-like solution, as it is insoluble in many organic solvents such as ethanol. They have a pH range between the level 6.5 to 8.5 when dissolved in a 1 percent aqueous solution. In terms of the physical properties of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, it is known that sodium carboxymethyl cellulose viscosity increases as the pH, temperature, or concentration increases.

At refrigerator temperature, the compound exhibits the characteristics of a highly viscous material, but its viscosity and performance decrease at temperatures above 80°C. According to the properties of CMC, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose has a strong resistance to an alkali solution, while it can easily be hydrolyzed in an acid solution. It is precipitated when in contact with multivalent metal salts or at a pH of 2-3.

How is Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose CMC Made?

Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose CMC is obtained by the interaction of natural cellulose with sodium hydroxide NaOH followed by carboxymethylation with mono chloro acetic acid. This reaction alters the hydroxyl groups of the glucose units and provokes the attachment of carboxymethyl groups, and the extent of modification is described as the degree of substitution.

It has been found that there is a direct link between the degree of substitution (DS) on sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and its uses and properties. The content of DS of 0.6–0.7 is desirable for the emulsifying properties evidenced, while increasing DS values Step by step improves such parameters as acid and salt resistance. This distribution of carboxymethyl group determines the solubility, emulsifying capacity, and thickening effectiveness of the carboxymethyl cellulose.

What distinguishes CMC sodium carboxymethyl cellulose is that it is a pseudoplastic fluid. This pseudoplasticity property also makes the molecules become aligned under the force of shear stress, which is useful, for example, in homogenizing foods and pipeline transportation.

Use of Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose CMC

When choosing food-grade sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, one should consider some features, including sodium carboxymethyl cellulose viscosity, stability, and its resistance to acids.

Low viscosity CMC: Used to give a light texture to specialized sauces, drinks, and health oral liquids.
Medium viscosity CMC: It is suitable for use in solid drinks, protein beverages, and juices, especially in stabilizing dairy drinks.
High viscosity CMC: As a good stabilizing agent in meat products and a substitute for starch, guar gum, and xanthan gum. It is especially widely used as a CMC additive in the form of CMC powder in ice cream to enhance texture and inhibit ice formation.

The quality of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose in food application is normally characterized in terms of its DS and purity. The proper value is between 0.7- 1.2 to achieve the optimum of the solution transparency and viscosity, more especially in the range of pH 6-9.

CMC Product Dissolution

To dissolve the sodium carboxymethyl cellulose powder, this should be done slowly while stirring the powder with water continuously. This acts as a desegregating agent as it will help to avoid the formation of lumps and as well favors dissolution. The optimum range of stirring is between 600 rpm and 130 rpm, and the dissolution time of the pellets is approximately one hour.

The level of dissolution efficiency is subjected to the value of DS and environmental conditions. Depending on the high DS CMC sodium carboxymethyl cellulose products, dissolution may be enhanced by warm water. But heating must not be on high heat or boiling since this weakens the molecular structure and decreases viscosity.

sodium carboxymethyl cellulose powder in ice cream

Features of Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose CMC in Food Applications

Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose CMC Good Stability

Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose E466 employed in cool foods such as popsicles and CMC powder in ice cream mix as a thickening agent also aids in reducing the formation of ice crystals, thus slowing down melting rates in the formation of the final product. It also stabilizes products such as flavoured milk, fruit milk, and yogurt through its action on the protein near the isoelectrical point, which is 4.6 pH.

Compatibility with Other Stabilizers and Emulsifiers

Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose in food is also mixed with other ingredients like stabilizers such as xanthan gum, guar gum, and carrageen, emulsifiers like mono- & diglycerides in food manufacture. These make operations efficient, making the overall production productive and, hence, reducing the cost of production.

Pseudoplasticity

The pseudoplasticity of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose CMC enables its viscosity to reduce under shear, which is helpful in the mixing, homogenizing, and pipeline pumping processes. This has the effect of making the equipment more efficient and results in increased consistency of the product.

Questions about the Use of Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose CMC in Food

1. How are Low, Medium, and High Viscosity CMC Differentiated in Terms of Structure and Thickness?
To distinguish between Low, Medium, and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose high viscosity in terms of structure and thickness, it is necessary to look for key numerical characteristics of the gel that can provide us with clear information comparing them, figures such as, swelling ratio, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose low viscosity, and insoluble fraction percentage.

2. What Are the Performance Characteristics of CMC with a Degree of Substitution (DS) Above 1.15?
As the values of DS increase, it also means that flowability is increased, pseudoplasticity is decreased, and texture is smoother. These solutions also contain better gloss and improvement in mechanical stability.

3. Should Medium Viscosity CMC Be Used for Fermented Protein Beverages?
Low to medium viscosity CMC sodium carboxymethyl cellulose with a degree of substitution about 0.90 is ideal for acidic protein-containing beverages because of better resistance to acid.

4. How Can CMC Gel Dissolve Quickly?
The sodium carboxymethyl cellulose gum could be dispersed faster through the addition of other colloids or through stirring at the speed 1000-1200 rpm. Wash also with warm water for better dispersal, especially for products with a high degree of substitution.

Conclusion

For businesses and manufacturers that are in search of good quality food additives, reliable suppliers supply sodium carboxymethyl cellulose powder, as well as other stabilizers and preservatives. For more information on sourcing sodium carboxymethyl cellulose CMC and other food-grade additives, you may check out Mondstar and the supplier with the most competitive prices.