Stabilizer composition of microcrystalline cellulose and carboxymethylcellulose, method for making, and uses
The subject matter of this invention is a composition and method of making a water-dispersible, stabilizing colloidal microcrystalline cellulose:carboxymethylcellulose composition. The method of making the composition does not require a salt solution as an anti-slip agent.
1. A process for a making a stabilizer composition comprising:
a) blending a microcrystalline cellulose wetcake with a first carboxymethyl cellulose having a DS of 0.45-0.85 in an amount of 5% to 25% by weight of the total composition;
b) extruding the product of step a);
c) either
i) blending and subsequently extruding a second carboxymethyl cellulose having a DS of 0.9-1.5 in an amount of 2% to 20% by weight of the total composition, into the product of step b); or
ii) preparing a water dispersion comprising the microcrystalline cellulose:carboxymethylcellulose extrudate of step b) and a second carboxymethyl cellulose having a DS of 0.9-1.5, wherein the second carboxymethyl cellulose is present in an amount of 2% to 20% by weight of the total composition; and
d) drying the product of step c);
wherein the stabilizer composition has an initial viscosity of at least 750 cps, a set-up viscosity of at least 3200 cps, and a set-up gel strength G′ of at least 20 Pa when dispersed in water at 2.6% solids concentration.
2. The process of claim 1 wherein step c) the second carboxymethylcellulose is in an amount of 4% to 8% by weight of the total composition .
3. The process of claim 1 wherein the first carboxymethyl cellulose is sodium carboxymethyl cellulose having a DS of about 0.7 and the second carboxymethyl cellulose is sodium carboxymethyl cellulose having a DS of about 1.2.
4. The process of claim 1 wherein the drying step d) is spray drying, fluidized bed drying, flash drying, or bulk drying.