CyberColloids

E 464 Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose – Eu Specification

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

Synonyms

Definition

Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose is cellulose obtained directly from strains of fibrous plant material and partially etherified with methyl groups and containing a small degree of hydroxypropyl substitution

Einecs:

Chemical name: 2-Hydroxypropyl ether of methylcellulose

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

— CH 2 CHOHCH 3

— CH 2 CHO (CH 2 CHOHCH 3 ) CH 3

— CH 2 CHO[CH 2 CHO (CH 2 CHOHCH 3 ) CH 3 ]CH 3

Molecular weight: From about 13 000 to 200 000

Assay: Content not less than 19 % and not more than 30 % methoxyl groups (-OCH 3 ) and not less than 3 % and not more than 12 % hydroxypropoxyl groups (-OCH 2 CHOHCH 3 ), on the anhydrous basis

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

Gas chromatography: Determine the substituents by gas chromatography

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 % for products with viscosities of 50 mPa.s or above. Not more than 3 % for products with viscosities below 50 mPa.s

Propylene chlorohydrins: Not more than 0,1 mg/kg

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