Prepared at the 20th JECFA (1976), published in FNS 1B (1977) and in FNP 52 (1992). Metals and arsenic specifications revised at the 57th JECFA (2001). An ADI ‘not specified’ was established at the 20th JECFA (1976)
SYNONYMS	INS No. 460(ii)
DEFINITION
Chemical names	Cellulose, linear polymer of 1:4 linked glucose residues
C.A.S. number	9004-34-6
Chemical formula	(C12H20O10)n
Structural formula
Formula weight	(324)n (n is predominantly 500 and greater)Of the order of 1.6 x 105 and greater
Assay	Not less than 92% (C12H20O10)n
DESCRIPTION	Purified, mechanically disintegrated cellulose prepared by processing alpha cellulose obtainted as a pulp from fibrous plant materials; occurs as a white, odourless substance consisting of fibrous particles which may be compressed into self-binding tablets which disintegrate rapidly in water; exists in various grades exhibiting degrees of fineness ranging from a dense free flowing powder to a coarse, fluffy non-flowing material.
FUNCTIONAL USES	Anticaking agent, dispersing agent, texturizing agent
CHARACTERISTICS
IDENTIFICATION
Solubility	Insoluble in water, ethanol, ether and dilute mineral acids. Slightly soluble in sodium hydroxide solution
Suspension formation	Mix 30 g of the sample with 270 ml of water in a high-speed (12,000 rpm) power blender for 5 min. 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 h. The solids settles and a supernatant liquid appears.
PURITY
Loss on drying	Not more than 7% after drying (105o, 3 h)
pH	5.0 – 7.5Mix 10 g of the dried sample, accurately weighed, with 90 ml water and allow to stand with occasional stirring for 1 h.
Water soluble substances	Not more than 1.5%Mix about 6 g of the sample, previously dried, with 90 ml of recently boiled and cooled water and allow to stand with occasional stirring for 10 min. Filter, discard the first 10 ml of filtrate and pass the filtrate through the same filter a second time if necessary to obtain a clear filtrate. Evaporate a 15 ml portion of the filtrate to dryness in a tared evaporation dish on a steam bath, dry at 105o for 1 h. Not more than 15 mg of residue is obtained.
Total ash	Not more than 0.3% (at approximately 800o to constant weight).
Starch	Not detectableTo 20 ml of the mixture obtained in the Identification Test B add a few drops of iodine TS and mix. No purplish-to-blue or blue colour is produced.
Lead	Not more than 2 mg/kgDetermine using an atomic absorption technique appropriate to the specified level. The selection of sample size and method of sample preparation may be based on the principles of the method described in Volume 4, “Instrumental Methods.”