Definition

1. Noun:
   • A gummy substance that is a sodium salt of carboxymethyl cellulose: It is a chemically modified derivative of cellulose, a natural polymer found in plant cell walls. The modification makes it water-soluble and gives it specific functional properties.
   • Used as a thickening or emulsifying agent: Its primary industrial and commercial use is to modify the texture and stability of various products. As a thickener, it increases viscosity. As an emulsifying agent, it helps mix ingredients that would normally separate, like oil and water.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose is commonly added to ice cream to prevent the formation of large ice crystals.
  • The recipe calls for a small amount of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose to stabilize the salad dressing.
  • In pharmaceuticals, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose is used as a binder in tablets.

Advanced Usage

• Technical/Industrial Context: The term is primarily used in scientific, manufacturing, and regulatory contexts (e.g., food science, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics). It is often listed on ingredient labels by its full name or the abbreviation CMC or carmellose sodium.
  • The formulation requires a high-purity grade of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose for the experiment.

Variants and Related Words

• Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) (n): The general name for the compound. "Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose" specifies the sodium salt form, which is the most common.
• Carmellose Sodium (n): An alternative pharmaceutical name for sodium carboxymethyl cellulose.
• Cellulose gum (n): A common simplified name used on food and consumer product labels.
• Thickener (n): A general term for substances that increase viscosity.
• Emulsifier (n): A general term for substances that help stabilize emulsions.
• Stabilizer (n): A general term for substances that help maintain a product's physical and chemical state.

Synonyms

• CMC
• Cellulose gum
• Carmellose sodium

Related Phrases/Compounds

• (As a listed ingredient): The phrase typically appears in ingredient lists, often followed by its E-number in food (E466).
  • Ingredients: Water, sugar, citric acid, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (E466), natural flavors.

Noun

1. a gummy substance that is a sodium salt of carboxymethyl cellulose; used as a thickening or emulsifying agent