Methylcellulose (MC) and Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC)

Methylcellulose was one of the earliest synthetic substitutes for natural gums in food applications. In addition to use in the food industry, both methylcellulose and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose find broad application in a variety of industrial and pharmaceutical uses, including the construction, coatings, chemical, cosmetics, and textile industries. Commercial manufacture of methylcellulose dates from the 1920s in Germany and the 1930s in the US Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose was produced in the US starting in the late 1940s. The rheological behavior of methylcellulose and hydroxy propylmethylcellulose solutions is dependent upon the concentration of the dissolved polymer hydrocolloid. Methylcellulose and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose are capable of forming films when cast from solution. The surface-active properties of methylcellulose and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose promote use of these gums in stabilization of nondairy whipped toppings for salads and desserts. The growing development of extruded foods and of meat analogs is expected to provide new applications for methylcellulose gums. The viscosity of an aqueous solution of methylcellulose or hydroxypropylmethylcellulose will initially decrease upon heating.