Ethyl Cellulose is a derivative of cellulose in which some of the hydroxyl groups of the cellulose chain have been replaced with ethyl groups. This modification gives it unique properties, such as being insoluble in water but soluble in certain organic solvents. Ethyl cellulose is widely used in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries as a thickening agent, stabilizer, film-former, and coating agent. It is also valued for its ability to control the release of active ingredients in pharmaceutical applications.
Chemical Composition and Structure
Ethyl cellulose is formed by the chemical reaction of cellulose with ethyl chloride in the presence of an alkaline catalyst. This process replaces the hydroxyl groups (-OH) in the cellulose with ethyl groups (-C₂H₅). The degree of ethyl substitution determines its solubility and performance in different applications. Its structure makes it non-ionic, which enhances its stability in various formulations.
Physical Properties
It is typically a white to off-white powder or granules, odorless and tasteless. It is insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents such as ethanol, toluene, and ethyl acetate. Its hydrophobic nature allows it to form films and coatings that provide barriers to moisture and gases. It also acts as a thickening agent in oil-based formulations.
Production Process
Ethyl cellulose is produced by reacting cellulose, typically derived from wood pulp or cotton, with ethyl chloride under alkaline conditions. This reaction replaces hydroxyl groups in the cellulose with ethyl groups, producing ethyl cellulose. The resulting material is purified and processed into a fine powder or granules suitable for industrial use.
Extraction of Cellulose: Cellulose is extracted from plant sources such as wood or cotton. This process may include maceration and chemical treatment with alkaline solutions to remove lignin and hemicellulose.
Chemical Modification: The extracted cellulose is then subjected to an ethylation process, where ethyl groups (-C₂H₅) are added to the cellulose using an ethylation reagent such as ethyl chloride in the presence of a solvent, typically an alcohol. This process transforms cellulose into ethylcellulose, altering its physical and chemical properties.
Purification: The produced ethylcellulose is purified to remove any impurities and chemical residues. This may involve washing and filtration to ensure the quality of the final product.
Drying and Milling: Once purified, the ethylcellulose is dried and milled into a fine powder to facilitate its use in formulations.
Quality Control and Packaging: Finally, ethylcellulose undergoes quality control checks to verify its purity and functional properties. After analysis, it is packaged for distribution and use.
Applications
Food Industry: Ethyl cellulose (E462) is used as an emulsifier, thickening agent and stabilizer in certain food products. Its water-insoluble nature allows it to be used in coatings for food products, such as in the production of encapsulated flavors or vitamins.
Pharmaceuticals: In the pharmaceutical industry, ethyl cellulose is widely used as a film-forming agent in controlled-release tablets and capsules. It is also used as a binder in tablet formulations and to improve the stability of drug suspensions.
Cosmetics: In cosmetics, ethyl cellulose is used as a film-former and thickening agent in products such as lotions, creams, and hair gels. It helps to improve product texture and stabilize emulsions.
INCI Functions:
- Binder agent. Ingredient that is used in cosmetic, food and pharmaceutical products as an anti-caking agent with the function of making the product in which it is incorporated silky, compact and homogenous. The binder, either natural such as mucilage, gums and starches or chemical, may be in the form of a powder or liquid.
- Film-forming agent. It produces, upon application, a very thin continuous film with an optimal balance of cohesion, adhesion and stickiness on skin, hair or nails to counteract or limit damage from external phenomena such as chemicals, UV rays and pollution.
- Viscosity control agent. It controls and adapts, Increasing or decreasing, viscosity to the required level for optimal chemical and physical stability of the product and dosage in gels, suspensions, emulsions, solutions.
Safety in Use
E462 is considered safe for use in food and is approved by various international regulatory bodies such as the European Union and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States. No significant side effects are associated with its use at the recommended levels.
Excessive intake of celluloses such as E462 may be associated with high risks of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) (1).
Animal food safety
EFSA's Scientific Panel on Food Additives concluded that ethyl cellulose is considered safe for all animal species. The use of ethyl cellulose in animal feed is not of concern for consumer safety. The use of ethyl cellulose as a feed additive is considered safe for the environment. The additive is considered effective in the feeding of all animal species (2).
Other uses
They are derived from cellulose:
- production of biofuels
- paper
- textile fibres
- plastics
- explosives
- paints
- biomaterial
- Molecular Formula C20H38O11
- Molecular Weight 454.5
- CAS 9004-57-3
- UNII 47MLB0F1MV 100 MPA.S
- EC Number 618-384-9
- DSSTox ID
- IUPAC 2-[4,5-diethoxy-2-(ethoxymethyl)-6-methoxyoxan-3-yl]oxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)-5-methoxyoxane-3,4-diol
- InChl=1S/C20H38O11/c1-6-26-10-12-16(17(27-7-2)18(28-8-3)20(25-5)30-12)31-19-14(23)13(22)15(24-4)11(9-21)29-19/h11-23H,6-10H2,1-5H3
- InChl Key ZZSNKZQZMQGXPY-UHFFFAOYSA-N
- SMILES CCOCC1C(C(C(C(O1)OC)OCC)OCC)OC2C(C(C(C(O2)CO)OC)O)O
- MDL number MFCD00131037
- PubChem Substance ID
- RTECS FJ5950500
- RXCUI 1310565
References_____________________________________________________________________
(1) Sellem L, Srour B, Javaux G, Chazelas E, Chassaing B, Viennois E, Debras C, Salamé C, Druesne-Pecollo N, Esseddik Y, de Edelenyi FS, Agaësse C, De Sa A, Lutchia R, Louveau E, Huybrechts I, Pierre F, Coumoul X, Fezeu LK, Julia C, Kesse-Guyot E, Allès B, Galan P, Hercberg S, Deschasaux-Tanguy M, Touvier M. Food additive emulsifiers and risk of cardiovascular disease in the NutriNet-Santé cohort: prospective cohort study. BMJ. 2023 Sep 6;382:e076058. doi: 10.1136/bmj-2023-076058. PMID: 37673430; PMCID: PMC10480690.
(2) 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.
Ethyl cellulose 
