Comparing E462 - Ethyl cellulose vs E464 - Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose
Overview
Synonyms
Products
Found in 21 products
Found in 741 products
Search rank & volume
Awareness score
Search volume over time
Interest over time for 3 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Interest over time for 7 keywords in U.S. during the last 10 years.
Popular questions
Ethyl cellulose is which type of polymer?
Ethyl cellulose is a cellulose ether—a nonionic, thermoplastic polysaccharide derivative in which some hydroxyl groups of cellulose are replaced by ethyl groups.
How is ethyl cellulose made?
It’s made by reacting purified cellulose with ethylating agents (commonly under alkaline conditions) to form ethyl ethers, then washing and drying; the degree of substitution is controlled to tune its properties.
How safe is ethyl cellulose?
It is considered safe as a food additive; JECFA assigned an ADI “not specified” and EFSA found no safety concern at reported uses, with minimal absorption and mainly GI passage—very high intakes may cause mild stomach upset.
How to make ethyl cellulose?
Industrially, it is produced by alkaline ethylation of cellulose using hazardous ethylating agents under controlled conditions; it isn’t practical or safe to make at home.
How to make gunge slime ethylcellulose?
Ethyl cellulose is not water‑soluble, so it won’t make typical water‑based “gunge” slime; for a food-safe slime, use water‑soluble gums like xanthan (E415) or guar (E412) instead.
Is hypromellose safe?
Yes—regulators (EFSA/JECFA/FDA) consider hypromellose (E464) safe at approved use levels; JECFA set an ADI “not specified,” and EFSA found no safety concern at reported uses. Very high intakes may cause mild gastrointestinal effects.
What is hypromellose capsule?
A hypromellose capsule is a hard, two-piece capsule shell made from hydroxypropyl methylcellulose instead of gelatin, used to hold medicines or supplements and often marketed as a vegetarian/vegan option.
What is hypromellose made from?
It’s made by chemically modifying plant-derived cellulose (typically wood pulp or cotton linters) with methyl and hydroxypropyl groups.
Is hypromellose vegan?
Yes—it's derived from plant cellulose and contains no animal ingredients, so it’s generally considered vegan/vegetarian.
Is hypromellose gluten free?
Yes—hypromellose (E464) is gluten‑free; people with celiac disease can consume it, though you should check the overall product for other gluten-containing ingredients.