·
CAS Number 9004-67-5
·
MDL number MFCD00081763
·
PubChem Substance ID 24896558
Methyl cellulose (or methylcellulose) is a chemical compound derived from cellulose. It is a hydrophilic white powder in
pure form and dissolves in cold (but not in hot) water, forming a clear viscous
solution or gel.
Detailed description
It is sold under a variety of trade names and
is used as a thickener and emulsifier in various food
and cosmetic products, and also as a treatment of constipation. Like cellulose, it is not digestible, not
toxic, and not an allergen.
Uses
Methyl cellulose has an extremely wide range of
uses, of which several are described below.
Consumer products
Thickener and emulsifier
Methyl cellulose is very occasionally added to hair
shampoos, tooth
pastes and liquid soaps, to
generate their characteristic thick consistency. This is also done for foods,
for example ice
cream or croquette. Methyl cellulose is also an important emulsifier, preventing the separation of two mixed liquids because it is
an emulsion stabilizer.
The E
number of methyl cellulose
as food additive is E461. E464 is Hydroxypropylcellulose and better soluble in
water.
Methyl cellulose (a.k.a. "Methocel",
produced by Dow Chemical or "Mecellose", produced by Samsung Fine
Chemicals) is also used as paint rheological modifier to prevent paint sagging.
Advanced cookery
Methyl cellulose, as a gel, has the unique property of setting when hot and melting when cold. The culinary potential of this property is currently
being explored at the University of Nottingham.[1]
Lubricant
Methyl cellulose is used as a variable viscosity personal lubricant; it is the main ingredient in K-Y
Jelly.
Clinical
The lubricating property of methyl cellulose is of
particular benefit in the treatment of dry eyes (Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca).[2] Dry eyes are common in the elderly and is often associated with rheumatoid arthritis. The lacrimal gland and the accessory conjunctival glands
produce fewer tears. Methyl cellulose may be used as a tear substitute.
Artificial tears and saliva
Solutions containing methyl cellulose or similar
cellulose derivatives are used as substitute for tears or saliva if the natural production of these fluids is disturbed.
Nutritional supplement capsules
Methyl cellulose is used in the manufacture of
capsules in nutritional supplements, its edible and nontoxic properties provide
a vegetarian alternative to the use of gelatin.
Treatment of constipation
When eaten, methyl cellulose is not absorbed by the
intestines but passes through the digestive tract undisturbed. It attracts
large amounts of water into the colon, producing a softer and bulkier stool. It is used to treat constipation, diverticulosis, hemorrhoids and irritable bowel syndrome. It should be taken with sufficient amounts of fluid to prevent dehydration.
A well-known trade name of methyl cellulose when
used as a drug is Citrucel by GlaxoSmithKline, but generic
versions are also widely available.
Construction materials
Methyl cellulose finds a major application as a
performance additive in construction materials. It is added to mortar dry mixes to improve the mortar's properties such as
workability, open and adjustment time, water retention, viscosity, adhesion to
surfaces etc. Construction grade methyl cellulose is not to be identified with
food and pharmaceutical grade methyl cellulose and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, as it may be
cross-linked with glyoxal for easy dispersion in water.
The construction materials can be cement-based or
gypsum-based. Notable examples of dry mixture mortars which utilize methyl
cellulose include: tile adhesives, EIFS, insulating plasters, hand-troweled and
machine-sprayed plaster, stucco, self-leveling flooring, extruded cement
panels, skim coats, joint & crack fillers, and tile grouts. Typical usage
is about 0.2% – 0.5% of total dry powder weight for dry mixtures.
Derivatives of methyl cellulose which improve
performance characteristics include hydroxypropyl
methyl cellulose (HPMC) and hydroxyethyl
methyl cellulose (HEMC). These derivatives typically improve the characteristics
such as water retention, vertical surface slip resistance, open time, etc.
Glue and binder
Methyl cellulose can be employed as a mild glue which can be washed away with water. This may be used in the
fixation of delicate pieces of art as well as in book conservation to loosen
and clean off old glue from spines and bookboards.
Methyl cellulose is the main ingredient in many wallpaper
pastes. It is also used as a binder in pastel
crayons and also as a binder in medications.
Paper and textile sizing
Methyl cellulose is used as sizing in the production of papers and textiles as it protects the
fibers from absorbing water or oil.
Cell culture/virology
Methyl cellulose is also used in cell
culture to study viral replication. It is dissolved in the same nutrient-containing medium in which cells are normally grown. A single
layer of cells are grown on a flat surface, then infected with a virus for a
short time. The strength of the viral sample used will determine how many cells
get infected during this time. The thick methyl cellulose medium is then added
on top of the cells in place of normal liquid medium. As the viruses replicate
in the infected cells, they are able to spread between cells whose membrances
touch each other, but are trapped when they enter the methyl cellulose. Only
cells closely neighboring an infected cell will become infected and die. This
leaves small regions of dead cells called plaques in a larger background of living uninfected cells. The number of
plaques formed is determined by the strength of the original sample.
Bacterial and Protozoal motility inhibitor
Aqueous methyl cellulose solutions have been used to
slow bacterial and protozoal cell motility for closer inspection. Changing the
amount of methyl cellulose in solution permits the adjustment of the solution's
viscosity.
Stem cell differentiation
Methyl cellulose is used in the most common
approaches to quantify multiple or single lineage-committed hematopoietic
progenitors, called colony-forming cells (CFCs) or colony-forming units (CFUs),
in combination with culture supplements that promote their proliferation and
differentiation, and allow the clonal progeny of a single progenitor cell to
stay together and thus form a colony of more mature cells.
Chemistry
Methyl cellulose is used as a buffer additive in capillary electrophoresis to control electroosmotic
flow for improved separations.
Special effects
The slimy, gooey appearance of an appropriate
preparation of methyl cellulose with water, in addition to its nontoxic,
nonallergenic, and edible properties, makes it popular for use in special
effects for motion
pictures and television wherever vile slimes must be simulated. In the film Ghostbusters, for example, the gooey substance the supernatural entities used
to “slime” the Ghostbusters was mostly a thick water solution of methyl
cellulose.[citation needed] The Aliens ooze and drip a great deal of methyl cellulose—especially the
queen.
Methyl cellulose has been used to safely simulate
molten materials, as well. In several of the Terminator films, it was back-lit with colored gels and films to reproduce the heated glow of iron
in the large pouring ladles used to transport the metal from the smelting ovens
to the various molds and forms.[citation needed] Methyl cellulose was also a stand-in for the lava flows in Los
Angeles in Volcano and on the volcanic surface of Mustafar, in Star Wars: Episode
III – Revenge of the Sith.
.
PRICE
$319.68/KG OR $145.30
For more information:
mobile: +2348039721941
contact person: emeaba uche
e-mail: emeabau@yahoo.com
No comments:
Post a Comment