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Cellulose (Cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, powdered cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, powdered cellulose, E460)
Cellulose is an organic substance from the family of polysaccharides, which is the main component of the cell membranes of plants. In the international classification of food additives, cellulose is assigned the index E460, it is included in the group of stabilizers, thickeners and emulsifiers.
General Characteristics of Cellulose
The name cellulose comes from the Latin cellula (cell, cell), the substance has a solid, stable, but elastic structure, does not dissolve in water and does not break down when heated.
Chemical formula [C6H7About2(OH)3]n.
Varieties:
- (i) Microcrystalline cellulose (Microcrystalline cellulose);
- (ii) Powdered cellulose)
It looks like a white powder or as small transparent crystals without taste and smell. The raw material for the production of cellulose is the stiffened fibers of dried plants (calorizator). As a food additive, E460 acts as a stabilizer and texturizing agent, prevents clumping and caking of food.
Cellulose in nature
In most animals, cellulose is not broken down in the body due to the lack of the necessary enzymes. However, many herbivores and protozoa (such as ruminants and snails) can digest cellulose, because they have special microorganisms that catalyze the hydrolysis of cellulose. The final product of this hydrolysis is glucose, which can be used by ruminants.
Cellulose is a very strong compound that can remain unchanged for a very long time. It does not dissolve in water even when boiled.
Production Of Cellulose
On an industrial scale, Cellulose is produced by cooking wood chips using the sulfite, sodium, and sulfate methods. The latter is the most common today, because it is suitable for producing Cellulose from any raw material of plant origin.
Benefits and harms of E460
In the human body, cellulose is a ballast substance that is not absorbed or absorbed, while significantly reducing the caloric content of food products, without changing the organoleptic properties. Cellulose has a positive effect on the body’s metabolic processes, normalizes the activity of the gastrointestinal tract, and reduces the likelihood of both benign and malignant neoplasms. Supplement E460 is not dangerous to health, so the permissible daily rate of its use is not established.
Application of Cellulose in industry
As a food additive-stabilizer E460, dairy products (especially those with a reduced calorie content), confectionery and bakery products, sauces have cellulose in their composition.
In addition to the food industry, cellulose is used in medicine as a filler of medicines, adhesive dental materials, sanitary napkins, cosmetics (creams, emulsions, dyes).
In the chemical industry, cellulose is used as a thickener, for the production of porous materials, as a sorbent, in the production of rubber and polyurethane, ceramic products, etc.
Use of E460
On the territory of our country, the use of Cellulose as a non-hazardous food additive is allowed.