E 465 ETHYL METHYL CELLULOSE

Commission Directive 98/86/EC

Synonyms Methylethylcellulose

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

Chemical name Ethyl methyl ether of cellulose

Chemical formula The polymers contain substituted anhydroglucose units with the

following general formula: C₆H₇O₂(OR₁)(OR₂)(OR₃), where R₁, R₂ R₃ each may be one of the following:

- H

- CH₃

- CH₂CH₃

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 (-OCH₃) and not less than 14,5 % and not more than 19 % of ethoxyl groups (-OCH₂CH₃), 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

A. Solubility Swelling in water, producing a clear to opalescent, viscous, colloidal solution. Soluble in ethanol. Insoluble in ether

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 %

pH of a 1 % colloidal solution Not less than 5,0 and not more than 8,0

Arsenic Not more than 3 mg/kg

Lead Not more than 5 mg/kg

Mercury Not more than 1 mg/kg

Cadmium Not more than 1 mg/kg

Heavy metals (as Pb) Not more than 20 mg/kg