What does Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose do?

Introduction of Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose

Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (also known as carboxymethyl cellulose, CMC, carboxymethyl, sodium cellulose, Caboxy methyl cellulose sodium salt), is the most widely used and largest amount of cellulose in the world. It is the water-dispersible sodium salt of the carboxymethyl ether of cellulose, which forms a transparent colloidal solution. It is a hygroscopic material, capable of absorbing more than 50 per cent of water at high humidity. It is also a natural polymer derivative used in detergents, pharmaceuticals, food, cosmetics and the textile industry.

Uses of Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose

Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose is a good candidate for nanosystems for drug delivery due to its biocompatibility, biodegradability, non-toxicity and gelling properties. Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose can be used as a technical additive (functional classes: emulsifier, stabiliser, thickener, gelling agent and binder) in premixes and feeds for all animal species without minimum and maximum content limits. CMC can be used as a binder in the preparation of graphene nano-platelet based inks for the fabrication of dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). It can also be used as a viscosity enhancer in the development of tyrosinase based inks for the formation of electrodes for biosensor applications. CMC is used as a support material for a variety of cathodes and anodes for microbial fuel cells.

Side effects of Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose

Visual disturbances and eye discharge may occur while using sodium carboxymethyl cellulose. Some of the other side effects of this medication include redness of the eyes, eye irritation, burning and discomfort, swelling of the eyelids and itching of the eyes.

References:

[1] MELIKA HOSSEINI . Drug delivery based on chitosan, β-cyclodextrin and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose as well as nanocarriers for advanced leukemia treatment[J]. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 2022, 153: Article 113369. DOI:10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113369.