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Glite Dictionary
sodium carboxymethyl cellulose

sodium carboxymethyl cellulose

7.7
A white sticky powder used to make food and medicine thicker and hold ingredients together
  • noun
  • /ˈsoʊdiəm ˌkɑrbəˌkɪməθəl ˈsɛlɪˌkəʊs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : celulosa carboximetil sódica
  • Many manufacturers add sodium carboxymethyl cellulose to ice cream to improve texture.

Examples

  • The pharmaceutical company uses sodium carboxymethyl cellulose as a tablet binder in its products.

  • Many gluten-free recipes include sodium carboxymethyl cellulose to replicate gluten's binding effect.

  • The sodium carboxymethyl cellulose is white.

  • Don't forget to check for sodium carboxymethyl cellulose in your food!

  • Many manufacturers add sodium carboxymethyl cellulose to ice cream to improve texture.

  • Many gluten-free recipes include sodium carboxymethyl cellulose to replicate gluten's binding effect.

  • The pharmaceutical company uses sodium carboxymethyl cellulose as a tablet binder in its products.

Synonyms

carboxymethyl cellulose
vssodium carboxymethyl cellulose
  • Specialized
8.2

A white powder that dissolves in water to make food and other products thicker and more stable

is the sodium salt form used mainly as a thickening or emulsifying agent

Surface Forms

sodium carboxymethyl cellulose singular
sodium carboxymethyl celluloses plural

Morphology

sodium + carboxymethyl + cellulose

The phrase transparently signals a chemical composition: 'sodium' (the sodium salt) + 'carboxymethyl' (a chemical modification combining carboxy- and methyl) + 'cellulose' (a plant polymer), so a learner could infer it is a sodium salt of modified cellulose. However, 'carboxymethyl' is a specialized morphological/chemical term and the exact nature and typical use (a gummy thickening/emulsifying powder) are technical, so the meaning is not fully predictable for a B1 learner.

Etymology

Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose is named for what it is: plant fiber (cellulose) with small carboxymethyl pieces added and then turned into a sodium salt so it soaks up water and becomes a white, gummy powder. That's why sodium carboxymethyl cellulose is used as a 'thickener' and 'binder' in foods and medicines.