CyberColloids

E 461 Methyl Cellulose – Eu Specification

COMMISSION REGULATION (EU) No 231/2012 of 9 March 2012

Synonyms

Cellulose methyl ether

Definition

Methyl cellulose is cellulose obtained directly from strains of fibrous plant material and partially etherified with methyl groups

Einecs:

Chemical name: Methyl ether of cellulose

Chemical formula: The polymers contain substituted anhydroglucose units with the following general formula:

 C 6 H 7 O 2 (OR 1 )(OR 2 )(OR 3 ) where R 1 , R 2 , R 3 each may be one of the following:

— H

— CH 3 or

— CH 2 CH 3

Molecular weight: From about 20 000 to 380 000

Assay: Content not less than 25 % and not more than 33 % of methoxyl groups (-OCH 3 ) and not more than 5 % of hydroxyethoxyl groups (-OCH 2 CH 2 OH)

Description

Slightly hygroscopic white or slightly yellowish or greyish odourless and tasteless, granular or fibrous powder

Identification

Solubility: Swelling in water, producing a clear to opalescent, viscous, colloidal solution. Insoluble in ethanol, ether and chloroform. Soluble in glacial acetic acid

pH: Not less than 5,0 and not more than 8,0 (1 % colloidal solution)

Purity

Loss on drying: Not more than 10 % (105 °C, 3 hours)

Sulphated ash: Not more than 1,5 % (800 ± 25 °C)

Arsenic: Not more than 3 mg/kg

Lead: Not more than 2 mg/kg

Mercury: Not more than 1 mg/kg

Cadmium: Not more than 1 mg/kg