Karboksimetyyliselluloosaa

Karboksimetyyliselluloosaa, often abbreviated as CMC, is a cellulose derivative widely used as a food additive, thickener, stabilizer, and emulsifier. It is synthesized by reacting cellulose with chloroacetic acid or its sodium salt under alkaline conditions. This chemical modification introduces carboxymethyl groups onto the cellulose backbone, rendering it water-soluble and conferring its useful properties.

CMC is a versatile ingredient found in a multitude of products. In the food industry, it is used to improve the texture and consistency of ice cream, sauces, yogurts, and baked goods, preventing ice crystal formation and enhancing mouthfeel. In pharmaceuticals, it serves as a binder and disintegrant in tablets, a suspending agent in liquid medications, and a lubricant in eye drops. The textile industry employs CMC as a sizing agent and a thickener for printing pastes.

Beyond these applications, CMC also finds use in paper manufacturing to improve paper strength and surface properties, in detergents to prevent dirt redeposition, and in drilling fluids to control viscosity and water loss. Its biodegradability and low toxicity contribute to its widespread acceptance and application across various sectors. The degree of substitution, which refers to the average number of carboxymethyl groups per anhydroglucose unit in the cellulose chain, influences CMC's solubility, viscosity, and other functional characteristics.