Cellulose Gel or E461 (Methyl cellulose) is a polysaccharide chemical compound, the main component of plant structure and an abundant and important source of complex carbohydrates. It is the methyl ether of cellulose produced synthetically from cotton fibres or by etherification of alkaline cellulose with methyl chloride to form cellulose ethers.

Industrial Production Process

The production of cellulose gel, commonly used as a food additive for its thickening and stabilizing properties, involves a process that modifies cellulose, a natural polymer found in the cell walls of plants. This process enhances its functionality in various food and pharmaceutical products. 

• Raw material selection and preparation. Cellulose is extracted from plant sources such as cotton or wood, which are carefully selected and prepared to ensure purity.
• Cleaning and purification. The raw cellulose is cleaned and purified to remove impurities such as resins, fats, and other natural substances.
• Chemical treatment. The purified cellulose undergoes a chemical treatment, often with sodium hydroxide and/or carbon monoxide, to break down its internal structures and increase its gel-forming capability.
• Acidification and gel formation. After chemical treatment, an acid is added to neutralize the alkali and initiate the gelation process.
• Homogenization. The cellulose gel is homogenized to ensure a uniform texture and eliminate any clumps.
• Sterilization. The gel is sterilized to eliminate any microorganisms and ensure safety for its intended food or pharmaceutical use.
• Packaging. Finally, the cellulose gel is packaged in sterile, sealed containers for distribution.

It appears as a whitish powder soluble in hot or cold water.

What it is used for and where

Food

Ingredient listed in the European food additives list as E461, emulsifier, stabiliser, thickener, gelling agent and binder. Methylcellulose can produce interesting applications in food such as foam stabilisation, film formation in fried foods, stabilisation of fruit cake dough.

Safety in animal nutrition.

The EFSA Panel on Food Additives concluded that methylcellulose is considered safe for all animal species. The use of methylcellulose in animal feed is not of concern for consumer safety.  The use of methylcellulose as a feed additive is considered safe for the environment. The additive is considered effective in the feeding of all animal species (1).

• Molecular Formula  C₂₀H₃₈O₁₁
• Molecular Weight    454.5
• CAS  9004-67-5
• UNII    4GFU244C4J    100 MPA.S
• EC Number   232-674-9    618-391-7
• IUPAC  (5R)-2,3,4-trimethoxy-6-(methoxymethyl)-5-[(2S)-3,4,5-trimethoxy-6-(methoxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxyoxane
• InChl=1S/C20H38O11/c1-21-9-11-13(23-3)15(24-4)18(27-7)20(30-11)31-14-12(10-22-2)29-19(28-8)17(26-6)16(14)25-5/h11-20H,9-10H2,1-8H3/t11?,12?,13?,14-,15?,16?,17?,18?,19?,20+/m1/s1
• InChl Key      YLGXILFCIXHCMC-JHGZEJCSSA-N
• SMILES  COCC1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2C(OC(C(C2OC)OC)OC)COC)OC)OC)OC
• MDL number  MFCD00081763
• RTECS  FJ5959000
• NCI    C29253
• RXCUI     6873
• Metabolomics Workbench   44118
• FEMA    2696

References_____________________________________________________________________

(1) EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP), Bampidis, V., Azimonti, G., Bastos, M.D.L., Christensen, H., Dusemund, B., Kos Durjava, M., Kouba, M., López‐Alonso, M., López Puente, S. and Marcon, F., 2020. Safety and efficacy of methyl cellulose for all animal species. Efsa Journal, 18(7), p.e06212.

Abstract. Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on methyl cellulose as a feed additive for all animal species. Methyl cellulose is intended for use as a technological additive (functional groups: emulsifier, stabiliser, thickener, gelling agent and binder) in premixtures and feedingstuffs for all animal species with no minimum and maximum content. A proper identification and characterisation of methyl cellulose as required for a feed additive is not available and the occurrence of potential toxic impurities cannot be assessed. The following conclusions apply only to methyl cellulose meeting the food additive specifications. The FEEDAP Panel concluded that methyl cellulose is considered safe for all animal species. The use of methyl cellulose in animal nutrition is of no concern for consumer safety. In the absence of data, the FEEDAP Panel was not in the position to conclude on the safety of methyl cellulose for the user. The use of methyl cellulose as a feed additive is considered safe for the environment. The additive is considered to be efficacious in feedingstuffs for all animal species.