Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) is a nonionic cellulose ether widely used in a variety of industrial and pharmaceutical applications. Its main functions include thickener, film former, stabilizer, emulsifier, suspending agent and adhesive. HPMC is widely used in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food, building materials and other industries. Its usage depends on the specific field of application, the required functional effect, other ingredients of the formulation and specific regulatory requirements.
1. Pharmaceutical field
In pharmaceutical preparations, HPMC is often used as a sustained-release agent, coating material, film former and capsule component. In tablets, the usage of HPMC is generally between 2% and 5% of the total weight to control the release rate of the drug. For sustained-release tablets, the usage may be higher, even up to 20% or more, to ensure that the drug can be gradually released over a long period of time. As a coating material, the usage of HPMC is usually between 3% and 8%, depending on the required coating thickness and functional requirements.
2. Food Industry
In the food industry, HPMC is often used as a thickener, emulsifier, suspending agent, etc. It is used as a fat substitute in low-calorie foods because it can provide a fat-like taste and structure. The amount used in food is usually between 0.5% and 3%, depending on the type and formulation of the product. For example, in beverages, sauces or dairy products, the amount of HPMC used is usually low, about 0.1% to 1%. In some foods that need to increase viscosity or improve texture, such as instant noodles or baked products, the amount of HPMC used may be higher, usually between 1% and 3%.
3. Cosmetic Field
In cosmetics, HPMC is widely used as a thickener, stabilizer and film former in lotions, creams, shampoos, eye shadows and other products. Its dosage is generally 0.1% to 2%, depending on the viscosity requirements of the product and the characteristics of other ingredients. In some specific cosmetics, such as skin care products or sunscreens that need to form a film, the amount of HPMC used may be higher to ensure that the product forms a uniform protective layer on the skin.
4. Building materials
In building materials, HPMC is widely used in products such as cement, gypsum products, latex paints and tile adhesives to improve the construction performance of materials, extend the open time, and improve anti-sagging and anti-cracking properties. The amount of HPMC used in building materials is usually between 0.1% and 1%, depending on the requirements of the formulation. For cement mortar or gypsum materials, the amount of HPMC is generally 0.2% to 0.5% to ensure that the material has good construction performance and rheology. In latex paint, the amount of HPMC is generally 0.3% to 1%.
5. Regulations and standards
Different countries and regions have different regulations and standards for the use of HPMC. In the field of food and medicine, the use of HPMC must comply with the provisions of relevant regulations. For example, in the EU and the United States, HPMC is widely recognized as safe (GRAS), but its use still needs to be controlled according to specific product categories and applications. In the fields of construction and cosmetics, although the use of HPMC is less subject to direct regulatory restrictions, the potential impact on the environment, product safety and consumer health still needs to be considered.
There is no fixed standard for the amount of HPMC used. It is highly dependent on the specific application scenario, the required functional effects, and the coordination of other formulation ingredients. Generally speaking, the amount of HPMC used ranges from 0.1% to 20%, and the specific value needs to be adjusted according to the formulation design and regulatory requirements. In actual applications, R&D personnel usually make adjustments based on experimental data and experience to achieve the best use effect and cost-effectiveness. At the same time, the use of HPMC must comply with relevant industry standards and regulations to ensure the safety and compliance of the product.
Post time: Aug-19-2024