One of the most common queries we receive is what is HPMC and what are the health benefits of this particular polymer to our body. In this article, we will go through the basics of this wonderous substance and its uses. 

The applicant claims that the feed additive HPMC is specified to be manufactured to meet the specifications set for its use as a food additive. The main specifications as food and feed additive are: methoxyl groups ≥ 19 and ≤ 30%, hydroxypropoxyl groups ≥ 3 and ≤ 12%, loss on drying < 10%, sulfated ash < 1.5% (for products with viscosities of 50 mPa.s or above) or < 3% (for products with viscosities below 50 mPa.s). Five batches of the additive were analysed for some of the above specifications, resulting in: methoxyl groups (four batches) 23.5–29.2%, hydroxypropoxyl groups (four batches) 5.2–8.4%, loss on drying (one batch) 1.2% and sulfated ash (one batch) 0.6%. Only statements, without figures, of compliance with the specifications for some impurities (heavy metals, arsenic, solvents, microbial purity) were provided. Information on other impurities ((pesticides, dioxins, dioxin-like and non-dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls, mycotoxins, botanical impurities) was not provided.

Concerning modified celluloses, methyl cellulose was negative in the bacterial reverse mutation assay, in the in vitro chromosomal aberration test in mammalian cells and in host-mediated assays with yeast and bacteria. In vivo methyl cellulose was also negative in a chromosome aberration assay in rat bone marrow and in the dominant lethal assay in male rats. Carboxymethyl cellulose was negative in the bacterial reverse mutation assay, in the in vitro chromosomal aberration test in mammalian cells, performed only without metabolic activation, and in host-mediated assays.

Answer: In plain English, nonion is a substance that does not ionize in water. Ionization is the process by which electrolytes in a specific solvent (e.g. water, alcohol) are separated into charged ions that can move freely. For example, daily salt, sodium chloride (NaCl), dissolves in water and ionizes to produce freely moving sodium ions with positive charges and chloride ions with negative charges. In other words, HPMC in water does not dissociate into charged ions, but exists as molecules.