What is Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose?

What is Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose?

Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC) is a chemically modified cellulose polymer that is off-white in color and considered safe for human consumption. It is most commonly used as an alternative to gelatin and gluten in vegan-friendly products.

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose is a white, odourless, tasteless powder made chemically through the modification of cellulose.

What is it used for?

Alternative to Gelatin: It serves as an alternative to gelatin because of its vegetarian source and its physical similarities to gelatin. This is extremely useful if you need to make your own supplements since it can help vegetarians and those with dietary restrictions consume supplements and medications.

Alternative to Gluten: It is also a very good replacement for gluten in gluten-free food. In baking bread, it limits “both the diffusion and the loss of water from the bread crumb and the interactions between starch and protein macromolecules,” which results in softer gluten-free bread and reduces staleness during storage.

Other uses: It acts as a thickening agent, coating polymer, binder, and bioadhesive in pharmaceutical, food, and industrial manufacturing.

Is it safe?

In an FDA study with rats, there were no significant toxic effects other than growth retardation once HPMC reached levels of 20 to 30% of the rats’ diet. This study noted that growth retardation may be contributed to malnutrition and not the amount of HPMC. In another study, rabbits were injected with 2% HPMC for over a month and there were no observations of toxicity or irritation. Overall, the FDA sees it as a non-toxic and non-irritating inactive ingredient that is safe for human use and consumption.

The application of HPMC in putty powder, what is the cause of foam in putty powder?

HPMC plays the role of thickening, water retention and construction in the putty powder. Do not participate in any reaction.

The reason for the bubble: 1.The water is too much. 2. The bottom layer is not dry, just scrape a layer on the top, it is also easy to foam.　

There are several types of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC). What is the difference between them?

HPMC can be divided into instant-soluble and hot-dissolved, instant-dissolved products, which dissipate quickly in cold water and disappear into the water. At this moment, the liquid has no viscosity, because HPMC just disperses in water and does not dissolve. About 2 minutes, the viscosity of the liquid gradually increased, forming a clear viscous colloid. Hot-melt products can quickly disperse in hot water and disappear in hot water when they clump in cold water. When the temperature drops to a certain temperature, the viscosity gradually appears until it forms a clear viscous colloid.

The hot melt type can only be used in putty powder and mortar. In liquid glue and coating, it will show clumping phenomenon and cannot be used. Instant type, with a wider range of applications, can be used in putty powder and mortar, as well as liquid glue and paint, there is no taboo.

Hebei Tangpeng is a professional HPMC Manufacturer. If you are intersted in our products, please contact us.