What does Carboxymethyl Cellulose do? Benefits and Risks

In this article, we will go through what does carboxymethyl cellulose do and how it is being used in the current industry processes for our daily lives.  

What is Carboxymethyl Cellulose?

Carboxymethylcellulose abbreviated as CMC in the industry and also named for cellulose gum, is essentially a thickening agent used in a variety of food products. CMC is a cellulose derivative that is anionic and water soluble in a carboxymethylcellulose (CMC). The degree of substitution, uniformity of the substitution distribution, DP, and solubility of CMC are all dependent on each other. With a drop in DP and an increase in carboxymethyl substitution and substitution uniformity, CMC would become more water-soluble. 

With rising DP and rising concentration, the solution becomes more viscous. Any temperature of the water will dissolve CMC in it. CMC hydrates quickly as a result of its extreme hygroscopicity. When the CMC powder is dissolved in water, agglomeration and lump formation may occur. High agitation during the addition of the powder to the water or pre-blending the CMC powder with other dry ingredients such as sugar before adding can reduce the likelihood of lump formation.

The carboxymethyl groups in CMC, a derivative of cellulose, are produced when cellulose reacts with chloroacetate in an alkaline solution to produce substitutions in the C2, C3, or C6 positions of glucose units. Because of this, CMC is water soluble and more susceptible to cellulases' hydrolytic activity. Therefore, CMC is a helpful additive to both liquid and solid mediums for the detection of cellulase activity. Congo red, a dye that binds to intact -d-glucans, can then be used to determine the degree of hydrolysis. Congo red staining of zones of clearing surrounding colonies growing on solid medium containing CMC serves as a useful assay for determining CMC hydrolysis.

What are the uses of Carboxymethyl Cellulose?

So, if we try to answer the question of what does carboxymethyl cellulose do, we will find it almost everywhere in the food industry. Food additives like cellulose gum are used in many low-fat and diet-related products to give them a thicker, creamier consistency that appeals to consumers. Additionally, some foods & fruits' shelf lives may be increased with the aid of cellulose gum. This kind of additive, according to the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), can enhance texture, stabilize foam, prevent sugar from crystallizing, bind water, & do many other things. Because of these benefits, cellulose gum is frequently used by manufacturers in a variety of foods.

CMC is frequently used in beverages and beverage dry mixes to provide a rich mouthfeel due to its high solubility and clarity of solutions. To stabilize the protein and stop it from precipitating, it is also used in acidified protein drinks. To increase viscosity, CMC is also added to syrup and sauce recipes. Another industry where CMC is frequently used to raise the standard and consistency of the final product is baking. It is used, for instance, in tortilla bread to enhance the dough's processing capacity and the final product's textural qualities, such as foldability and rollability.

If you are still wondering about what does carboxymethyl cellulose do, there are numerous products that contain carboxymethyl cellulose. Ice cream, yogurt, beverages, desserts, & baked goods all use it as a thickener. Also, it's used in toothpaste, eye drops, & cosmetics all contain it. Additionally, it is frequently employed as a binding agent in pharmaceuticals and dietary supplements.

Health Risks with Carboxymethyl Cellulose?

The consensus is that cellulose gum is a safe and legal food additive. However, since it isn't a typical whole food, there is still a chance for unidentified risks. Additionally, animals rather than people have been used in many studies on cellulose gum. Additionally, since cellulose gum is referred to as a "dietary fiber" on some food product packaging, you might believe that you are consuming more fiber than you are. As opposed to the fiber found in whole foods, cellulose gum isn't as healthy, according to CSPI. Reading nutrition labels and ingredient lists thoroughly will help you avoid any misunderstandings about getting enough fiber.

      Wrapping Up:

This wraps up our topic of what does carboxymethyl cellulose do and its different uses. There are probably several items in your kitchen that contain carboxymethyl cellulose if you look around. According to the most recent research, this ingredient shouldn't be used in food. Intestinal inflammation, blood sugar issues, obesity, behavioral changes, and increased cancer risks are just a few examples of possible adverse effects. Even though it is unlikely that the ingredient will be outlawed anytime soon, recent studies showing its detrimental effects on health suggest that carboxymethyl cellulose consumption should be reduced or avoided.