CyberColloids

E 465 Ethyl Methyl Cellulose – Eu Specification

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

Synonyms

Methylethylcellulose

Definition

Ethyl methyl cellulose is cellulose obtained directly from strains of fibrous plant material and partially etherified with methyl and ethyl groups

Einecs:

Chemical name: Ethyl methyl ether of cellulose

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 CH 3

Molecular weight: From about 30 000 to 40 000

Assay: Content on the anhydrous basis not less than 3,5 % and not more than 6,5 % of methoxyl groups (-OCH 3 ) and not less than 14,5 % and not more than 19 % of ethoxyl groups (-OCH 2 CH 3 ), and not less than 13,2 % and not more than 19,6 % of total alkoxyl groups, calculated as methoxyl

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. Soluble in ethanol. Insoluble in ether

pH: Not less than 5,0 and not more than 8,0 (1 % colloidal solution)

Purity

Loss on drying: Not more than 15 % for the fibrous form, and not more than 10 % for the powdered form (105 °C to constant weight)

Sulphated ash: Not more than 0,6 %

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