CyberColloids

E 460(ii) Powdered cellulose – EU specification

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

Definition

Purified, mechanically disintegrated cellulose prepared by processing alpha-cellulose obtained as a pulp from strains of fibrous plant materials

Einecs: 232-674-9

Chemical name: Cellulose; Linear polymer of 1:4 linked glucose residues

Chemical formula: (C 6 H 10 O 5 ) n

Molecular weight: (162) n (n is predominantly 1 000 and greater)

Assay: Content not less than 92 %

Particle size: Not less than 5 μm (not more than 10 % of particles of less than 5 μm)

Description

A white, odourless powder

Identification

Solubility: Insoluble in water, ethanol, ether and dilute mineral acids. Slightly soluble in sodium hydroxide solution

Suspension test: Mix 30 g of the sample with 270 ml of water in a high-speed (12 000 rpm) power blender for 5 minutes. The resultant mixture will be either a free-flowing suspension or a heavy, lumpy suspension which flows poorly, if at all, settles only slightly and contains many trapped air bubbles. If a free-flowing suspension is obtained, transfer 100 ml into a 100-ml graduated cylinder and allow to stand for 1 hour. The solids settles and a supernatant liquid appears pH The pH of the supernatant liquid is between 5,0 and 7,5 (10 % suspension in water)

Purity

Loss on drying: Not more than 7 % (105 °C, 3 hours)

Water soluble matter: Not more than 1,0 %

Sulphated ash: Not more than 0,3 % (800 ± 25 °C)

Starch: Not detectable. To 20 ml of the dispersion obtained in Identification, suspension test, add a few drops of iodine solution and mix. No purplish to blue or blue colour should be produced

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