Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose (NaCMC) is one of the most important products of cellulose ethers, which is formed by modifying natural cellulose as a type of cellulose derived with ether structure.
This sodium salt is a carboxymethylcellulose, an anionic derivative, and is widely used in oral, ocular, injectable, and topical formulations. For solid dosage forms, this material is primarily used as a binder.
It dissolves strongly in water at any temperature and forms clear solutions. Its solubility depends on the degree of its replacement.
Sodium carboxymethylcellulose is a white or slightly yellowish fibrous powder that is white in appearance. It is odorless, tasteless and non-toxic. Easily dissolved in hot or cold water and becomes colloidal. Sodium carboxymethylcellulose is a neutral or slightly alkaline solution.
Is sodium carboxymethylcellulose a salt?
Yes, sodium carboxymethylcellulose is the most common form of cellulose gum.
Is sodium carboxymethylcellulose useful for you?
According to the FDA Committee on GRAS Foods, sodium carboxymethylcellulose is not actually absorbed. Sodium carboxymethylcellulose is usually considered safe when used in normal amounts.
An ice cream container, a tube of toothpaste, some laundry detergent and artificial tear drops all contain sodium carboxymethylcellulose.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has classified sodium carboxymethylcellulose for use as a food additive as “generic”.
Physical and chemical properties of sodium carboxymethylcellulose
The main physical and chemical indicators of sodium carboxymethylcellulose products are: viscosity, DS (Degree of Substitution), pH value, purity and heavy metals.
Sodium carboxymethylcellulose is a moisture retardant, meaning it retains moisture. Its dehydrating properties are partly responsible for its success as a food and medicine additive.
Sodium CMC (sodium carboxymethylcellulose) has very unusual and valuable physical and chemical properties such as emulsion dispersion and solid dispersion and is also physically safe. It is a widely used natural polymer derivative. Sodium cmc has many excellent properties such as thickening, dispersion, suspension, adhesion, colloid protection and water retention that are widely used in food, pharmaceutical and toothpaste industries.
Sodium cmc is a macromolecular chemical that can absorb and highlight water. When swollen in water, it can produce a clear, concentrated solution that is neutral in pH.
General applications of sodium carboxymethylcellulose
• A thickener
Sodium carboxymethylcellulose is added to some products as a thickener and dispersant. By controlling the amount of carboxymethyl sodium added, the manufacturer can make the taste of food or medicine in the mouth more precise and clear when swallowed.
Also as a thickener, it makes the ingredients easily spread evenly throughout the mixture. This substance causes solids to remain suspended in liquids and acts as an emulsifier, preventing lotions and creams from separating.
• Impact on flexibility
Adding sodium carboxymethylcellulose to liquids changes the viscosity of the liquid. Sodium carboxymethylcellulose molecules normally bind to each other. Water enters and breaks the bonds.
The viscosity or resistance to spillage of liquids depends on the amount of sodium carboxymethylcellulose added. Sodium carboxymethylcellulose can be used in the preparation of concentrated gels and eye lubricants such as artificial tears.
• As a food additive
Sodium carboxymethylcellulose is often added to foods as a stabilizer. As a generally recognized safe substance, it does not require FDA approval to be used in foods. Sodium carboxymethylcellulose can prevent ice cream from opening and separating. It can also be added as a bulking, emulsifying, firming, gelling, glazing, moisturizing and thickening agent. It is found in chocolate milk, cocoa, eggs, condensed milk, powdered milk, some cheeses, daily foods, processed fruits, breakfast cereals, meat, sausages, custard, spices, seasonings, soups and Diet foods can be found, and of course much more than that.
• Reusable ice packs
Sodium carboxymethylcellulose is sometimes used to make reusable ice packs.
Carboxymethyl sodium, when combined with water and other substances such as propylene glycol, forms a eutectic mixture. A mixture with a lower freezing point than any of the other compounds in the mixture. The freezing point of a product on the market is -23 degrees Celsius (9.4- Fahrenheit). These reusable ice packs are usually non-toxic and environmentally friendly.
Applications of sodium carboxymethylcellulose
Sodium carboxymethylcellulose is used as a highly effective additive to improve product and processing properties in a variety of fields from food, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals to paper and textile products.
Other uses for sodium carboxymethylcellulose include additives, building materials, printing inks, clothing, medicine, food, cosmetics, paper or textiles.
The following are the various applications of this valuable substance:
• pharmaceutical Industries
In the pharmaceutical industry, sodium carboxymethylcellulose can be used as a stabilizing emulsion for injection, adhesion, and membrane and tablet coatings. Animal experiments have shown that sodium carboxymethylcellulose is a safe and reliable carrier of anticancer drugs.
Sodium carboxymethylcellulose can be used to make coatings and membranes. Animal model research has shown that this can be effective in controlling wound infection. There is no significant difference compared to gauze dressing, but this coating is superior to gauze dressing in controlling fluid leakage between wound tissue and rapid wound healing. In addition, it can reduce postoperative complications and wound irritation phenomena.
In the treatment of liver cancer, sodium carboxymethylcellulose can be used in transcatheter arterial perfusion anticancer drugs to significantly increase the resistance time of anticancer drugs in the tumor, increase anti-neoplastic function, and improve therapeutic efficacy. . In addition, sodium carboxymethylcellulose is widely used in animal medicine.
CMC is used to coat tablets of high purity and low viscosity. CMC is not soluble in the acidic environment of the stomach, but is soluble in the main environment of the intestine.
CMC is one of the most innovative applications in medicine. CMC solutions are used to form gels used in heart, chest and corneal surgeries. In thoracic surgery, the lungs are sutured and then covered with CMC solution to prevent air leakage and fluid infiltration. In orthopedics, CMC solutions are used to lubricate bone joints, often on the wrists, knees, and sides. Fluid is injected into these joints to prevent erosion, swelling, and possible destruction of the cartilage attached to the bone.
• Construction industry
Sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) is used in most cement and building materials because it acts as a stabilizing and hydrophilic agent. This material disperses the sand in the cement and enhances its adhesion performance. It is also used as an adhesive in carpets.
• detergents
The detergent industry is the largest consumer of sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC). CMC compounds are often used in soaps and detergents. CMC, after being used by detergents, acts as a barrier to the re-placement of grease in fabrics.
• Paper industry
Sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) reduces wax consumption in paper and cardboard as well as less wax penetration into paper. Likewise, as a result of the surface gloss it gives, the consumption of printing ink is also reduced.
In addition, due to its flatness, CMC makes the paper more resistant to grease and improves the bond between the fibers, thus improving the color of the paper. It is also used as a dispersant to extrude paper pulp and prevent it from clotting.
• Agriculture
In water-based pesticides and sprays, sodium carboxymethylcellulose acts as a suspending agent. It also acts as an adhesive to attach insecticides to plant leaves after use. CMC is sometimes used to help remove certain fertilizers that are highly polluting.
• Adhesive
Sodium carboxymethylcellulose is added to various adhesive compounds that can be used for almost any material. It is widely used in the leather industry. Adhesives that bond wood to another wood are effectively made by combining CMC with starch and phenol formaldehyde.
• Cosmetics
Sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) is used in dental materials and toothpastes and gels. This water-soluble ether acts as a thickener, stabilizer, suspender, and raw material in creams, lotions, or shampoos, and is widely used in hair care products.
• painting
Sodium carboxymethylcellulose is used in oil paints and varnishes. It acts like a thickener and suspends the pigment in the liquid.
• Oil Industry
Crude or pure sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) is used in drilling sludge as a colloidal thickener and is used to prevent deposits when separating the drill from the hole.
• Plastic
The main application of CMC in the plastics industry is to help increase the viscosity of plastics such as latex.
• ceramic
Most water-soluble ethers are used to connect porcelain and ceramic pieces. They have good curing properties and sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) solutions produce very little ash.
• Textile industry
Crude sodium carboxymethylcellulose is used as a measure of fabric quality. CMC is also used in combination with starch in laundry operations. To increase the quality of the fabrics in the last stage of the production process, the fabric is impregnated with CMC and then refined with acid and heat. It is also a very effective factor in fabric printing and as a thickener in fabric dyes and varnishes.
• Food
Sodium carboxymethylcellulose is used in food as an adjuvant in the production of ice cream, creams and dairy products. It is also used as an auxiliary to make gels in gelatins and puddings and as a thickener in sauces and salad dressings.
Sodium carboxymethylcellulose is also used as a suspension in fruit juices, as a protective colloid in emulsions and mayonnaise, as a preservative to cover the surface of fruits, and as a stabilizer in ready-to-cook products. Because CMC is not metabolized by the human body, it is approved for use in low-calorie foods.
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