Cellulose

Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC, CAS 9004-34-6) is a purified, partially depolymerized cellulose. Also marketed as Cellulose 248 and Kingcot; E460.

Where is Cellulose used?

• Pharmaceutical tablets: direct compression binder that improves hardness and disintegration without wet granulation
• Food: anti-caking agent and fat replacer in low-calorie products, maintaining texture and bulk
• Construction: rheology modifier in cement and gypsum-based compounds
• Paper and textiles: functional filler and coating agent improving surface properties and dimensional stability
• Crystalline grades serve specialty industrial processes requiring higher purity and defined crystallinity.
• In pharmaceutical formulations, coatings are formed to extend and delay release of the active substance.
• In food and feed, thickening of jellies, jams, desserts, yogurts and candies is achieved.
• In clarified fermentation media, cellulose powder acts as a support, improves carbon dioxide removal at the start of alcoholic fermentation and shortens the lag phase.

Good to know: Established grades include USP/NF, Ph. Eur., BP and FCC for pharmaceutical and food-grade applications.

Formulation notes

• Insoluble in water, ethanol, ether and dilute mineral acids; slightly soluble in sodium hydroxide solution.
• Food-grade microfibre celluloses are available on the market that can replace microcrystalline cellulose at lower cost.

Typical specification

• Cellulose content of at least 92%.
• Fine particles not smaller than 5 µm; particles below 5 µm not exceeding 10%.
• Loss on drying not exceeding 7.0%.
• Purified, unmodified food-grade cellulose obtained by mechanical disintegration of alpha-cellulose from fibrous plant material.

Regulatory status

• Food cellulose was added to Codex sheet 2.3.2 as a fermentation activator by resolution OIV-OENO 633-2019.
• The label of cellulose powder must state the identification of the cellulose and its food use, the product concentration including in mixtures, safety and storage conditions, batch number and expiry date.
• Listed in the International Oenological Codex under the SIN number 460 (ii).
• No harmonised classification and labelling under Annex VI of the CLP Regulation.

Storage, packaging and handling

• Store in a ventilated place in airtight packaging, protected from volatile substances that it can adsorb.

Frequently asked questions about Cellulose

How must cellulose be labelled under EU chemicals legislation?

Labelling must be in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP Regulation).

In what physical form is cellulose powder supplied?

It is supplied as white flakes or microfibres, odourless and tasteless.

Which applications use cellulose casings and biopolymer cellulose fibers?

Cellulose casings are used in the production of cooked or smoked sausages and cured meats, and biopolymer cellulose fibers are used in the production of wound dressings.

Technical content is compiled and updated by the SoleChem product team from public technical sources; the certificate of analysis (COA) governs product-specific specifications.