Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose meeting the food additive specification is consequently considered safe for all animal species. Setting a maximum content in complete diets is not considered necessary. The low toxicity of celluloses shown in the toxicological studies (see Section 3.2.2) support this conclusion.
- Another important reason to buy hydroxypropyl methylcellulose is its ability to improve the shelf life of products. HPMC forms a protective barrier around particles, preventing them from clumping together and extending the product's lifespan. This makes it particularly useful in applications where product stability is important, such as in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.
- Another option is to buy hydroxyethyl cellulose from a local chemical supply store or hardware store. These stores often carry a wide range of chemicals and may have the product you need in stock. However, the selection and quality may be more limited compared to online suppliers.
- Hydroxyethyl cellulose, also known as HEC, is a non-ionic, water-soluble polymer that is widely used in the industrial and pharmaceutical sectors. It is derived from cellulose, which is the main component of plant cell walls. HEC has a variety of functions and applications due to its unique properties, making it a versatile and valuable material.
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- Safety Considerations in HPMC Manufacturing
- In the construction industry, HPMC powder is used as a water-retaining agent, thickener, and binder in cement-based materials
- In the pharmaceutical industry, HPMC plays a crucial role as an excipient. It is used as a binder in tablet formulations, ensuring that the individual ingredients stick together effectively during the manufacturing process. Additionally, HPMC's ability to form gels when hydrated makes it ideal for controlled-release drug delivery systems, allowing for a more sustained release of medication over time. It also serves as a coating material for capsules and tablets, improving their stability and palatability.
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- In conclusion, HPMC is a versatile and safe ingredient that is widely used in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. It has been extensively studied for its safety and is generally well-tolerated by most individuals. If you have any concerns about using products that contain HPMC, you should consult with a professional for personalized advice.
- HPMC is also used in the pharmaceutical industry as a film former and sustained-release agent. It can be used to coat tablets, capsules, and other dosage forms, providing a barrier that controls the release of medication It can be used to coat tablets, capsules, and other dosage forms, providing a barrier that controls the release of medication
It can be used to coat tablets, capsules, and other dosage forms, providing a barrier that controls the release of medication It can be used to coat tablets, capsules, and other dosage forms, providing a barrier that controls the release of medication
hpmc products. This is particularly useful for drugs that need to be released slowly over a period of time, such as those used to manage chronic conditions.
- The choice between HPMC and HEC often depends on the specific requirements of the end product. HPMC's film-forming property is advantageous in applications requiring a durable finish, while HEC's shear-thinning behavior is preferred when a fluid needs to be easily poured but maintain viscosity under stress. Additionally, HPMC is more heat stable, making it suitable for high-temperature processes, whereas HEC has better freeze-thaw stability.
- In the food industry, HPMC serves as a thickener, emulsifier, texturizer, and stabilizer. It helps improve the texture and mouthfeel of ice cream, sauces, and dressings. Moreover, HPMC's film-forming characteristics are utilized in confectionery products, where it helps create a smooth, non-sticky surface on breath mints and other candies. The use of HPMC also extends shelf life by preventing dehydration and maintaining product integrity.
- The chemical structure of HPMC, or Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, is a fundamental aspect that defines its unique properties and wide range of applications. HPMC is a non-ionic, thermally reversible cellulose derivative, synthesized through the chemical modification of native cellulose, a naturally occurring polymer found in plant cell walls.
There are data for microcrystalline cellulose (E 460), methyl cellulose (E 461), hydroxypropyl cellulose (E 463) and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (E 466), which were tested in mice, rats, hamsters and/or rabbits with oral dosing or via gavage. As regards microcrystalline cellulose (E 460) studies have been conducted in rats (dietary exposure) with a mixture including guar gum or sodium carboxymethylcellulose (E 466) (15% in either case). The NOAEL for both maternal and developmental toxicity were the highest experimental dosages, i.e. 4,500 mg/kg bw (for mixture with guar gum) and 4,600 mg/kg bw (for mixture with sodium carboxymethyl cellulose). Methyl cellulose (E 461) was examined in mice, rats, hamsters and rabbits. In two different studies, pregnant mice were exposed via gavage (vehicle corn oil) to a dose range of 16-1,600 mg methyl cellulose (E 461)/kg bw per day from day 6 to 15 of gestation, followed by a caesarean section at day 17 of gestation. In the first study, maternal toxicity (increase in mortality and reduced pregnancy rate in the survivors) as well as retarded ossification in fetuses were noticed at the highest tested level, pointing to a NOAEL of 345 mg methyl cellulose (E 461) mg/kg bw per day (the last but one highest dosage) in mice. In the second study, no maternal toxicity and fetal abnormalities were observed in mice exposed up to 700 mg methyl cellulose (E 461) mg/kg bw per day. Rat studies (n = 2) were performed in pregnant dams exposed via gavage (vehicle corn oil) to a dose range of 16-1,320 mg methyl cellulose (E 461) mg/kg bw per day from day 6 to 15 of gestation followed by a caesarean section at day 20. In the first study (0, 13, 51, 285 or 1,320 mg methyl cellulose (E 461)/kg bw per day) the highest tested dosage resulted in no maternal toxicity but also in increased incidence of extra centres of ossification in vertebrae of fetuses from high dose dams; in a second rat study, the incidence of such alteration slightly increased in fetuses from the highest dosed group (1,200 mg methyl cellulose (E 461)/kg bw per day). Based on the above results, a NOAEL of 285 mg methyl cellulose (E 461) mg/kg bw per day could be identified in rats. No maternal or fetal toxicity was detected in Golden hamsters exposed via gavage (vehicle corn oil) up to 1,000 mg methyl cellulose (E 461) mg/kg bw per day from day 6 to 10 of gestation followed by a caesarean section at day 20. The study on rabbits was discarded due to poor experimental design. The only relevant developmental toxicity study with hydroxypropyl cellulose (E 463) (dissolved in 1% gum arabic solution) was performed in pregnant rats exposed via gavage from day 7 to 17 of gestation to 0, 200, 1,000 or 5,000 mg/kg bw test item and some of them subjected to caesarean sections at day 20. No treatment-related adverse effects were detected in dams or in the examined fetuses. A number of dams were allowed to deliver and no clinical, behavioural or morphological changes were observed in the examined pups. Their reproductive ability was seemingly not affected and no abnormalities were found in the F1-derived fetuses. The in utero exposure to the highest dose (5,000 mg/kg bw per day) may be considered as the NOAEL of methyl cellulose (E 461) for this study. No mortality, and no adverse effects were observed on implantation or on fetal survival in pregnant mice or rats dosed via gavage with up to 1,600 mg sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (E 466)/kg bw per day.
- Ensuring Safety with HPMC
- It's important to note that the viscosity of HPMC solutions can be influenced by several factors. As mentioned earlier, concentration plays a significant role in determining viscosity. In general, increasing the concentration of HPMC will result in a higher viscosity In general, increasing the concentration of HPMC will result in a higher viscosity
In general, increasing the concentration of HPMC will result in a higher viscosity In general, increasing the concentration of HPMC will result in a higher viscosity
hpmc viscosity table. Additionally, temperature can also impact viscosity; warmer temperatures tend to decrease viscosity, while cooler temperatures increase it. Finally, the shear rate at which the solution is being measured can affect viscosity as well. Higher shear rates often lead to lower viscosity readings.
- In the food industry, HPMC is commonly used as a thickening agent, stabilizer, and emulsifier in various food products. It helps to improve the texture and stability of sauces, dressings, ice creams, and other processed foods
hydroxypropyl methylcellulose use. HPMC can also be used as a fat replacer in low-fat formulations, providing a creamy and smooth mouthfeel without the added calories. - 3. Price Compare prices from different suppliers to find the best value for your money. However, do not compromise on quality to save costs, as low-quality HPMC can negatively impact your product's performance.
- Textile manufacturers utilize VAE powder to create eco-friendly coatings and finishes, which not only improve the fabric's durability but also offer water-repellent and flame-retardant properties
For hydroxypropyl cellulose (E 463), the identified NOAEL corresponded to the highest dose 6,000 mg hydroxypropyl cellulose/kg bw per day (by gavage). The most relevant feeding studies with HPMC (E 464) were performed in rats which tolerated up to 10%, corresponding to 9,000 mg test item/kg bw per day. Rabbits tolerated up to 7,500 mg HPMC/kg bw per day administered via the diet (30 day exposure) and dogs up to 1,500 mg HPMC/kg bw per day, in either case being the highest tested dosages. More studies were conducted using sodium carboxy methylcellulose (E 466). The most relevant ones were conducted in rats, with NOAEL values ranging from 4,500 to 9,000 mg test item/kg bw per day (in all cases the highest dose tested). In these studies, some effects (caecum and colonic enlargement, urothelial hyperplasia, nephrocalcinosis, diffuse epithelial hyperplasia in the urinary bladder) were observed, however, not considered of toxicological concern: the findings in the gastrointestinal tract were considered to be a consequence of the accumulation of poorly absorbed water-soluble material and the findings in kidneys and urinary bladder were attributed to the up to fourfold higher concentration of sodium in the test diet compared with the basal diet. In one further study, rats were daily exposed (gavage) to doses equivalent to 0, 500, 2,500 or 5,000 mg/kg bw per day. Animals treated with ≥ 2,500 mg/kg bw per day had soft and pale faeces, which was attributed to the presence of test material and not considered of toxicological relevance. In the absence of any other adverse effects, also for this study, the identified NOAEL was the top dose (5,000 mg/kg bw per day).



The safety profile of Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC) has been thoroughly reviewed and approved by several regulatory authorities worldwide, including the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These approvals underline the safe use of HPMC in both food products and medicines and number E464 is permitted as an additive of food and medicines.
Regulatory Approvals
HPMC is recognized as a safe food additive and pharmaceutical excipient. In the European Union, HPMC is included in the list of permitted substances that can be added to foods and medicines. The EFSA has evaluated HPMC and concluded that it does not pose a significant risk to public health when used according to approved guidelines and therefore number E464 is authorized for use in food.
Support from scientific studies
A series of scientific studies have extensively investigated the safety of HPMC. These studies have shown that HPMC is safe for consumption and has no toxic effects when ingested within stated limits. The studies focus on several aspects, including the degradation of HPMC in the human body and the absence of allergic reactions, which contributes to its profile as a non-irritating and non-sensitizing substance.