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