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Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, abbreviated as HPMC, is a non-ionic cellulose derivative widely used in the pharmaceutical and construction industries and as a food additive. HPMC is popular because it is easy to modify chemically, very soluble in water, and is stable across various temperatures and pH levels.
Some of the most common types of HPMC include the following:
E grade HPMC
Although grades E5 and E15 are mainly intended for pharmaceutical applications, the E5 type can also be used in more straightforward construction and food applications. E5 HPMC is mainly used in the pharmaceutical industry as a film coating and excipient in pill manufacturing, artificial tears, and other liquid dosage forms. In the construction industry, it is used as an additive to improve workability, adhesive strength, and water retention. In food applications, HPMC is employed as a thickening agent, stabilizer, and emulsifier in various products such as ice cream, baked goods, and sauces.
E15 grade HPMC
Similarly, HPMC E15 can also find additional applications outside its primary pharmaceutical use. It is primarily employed in the pharmaceutical industry as a thickening agent, controlled-release excipient, and in various other liquid dosage forms. Its construction properties such as enhanced water retention, workability, and extended open time for mortar, grouts, and other construction materials have also endeared it to construction industry stakeholders.
The choice of HPMC grade depends on the requirement of the specific application area, as each has uniquely tailored viscosity, solubility, and texture-enhancing properties.
The features of the different types of HPMC include:
Pharmaceutical applications
Due to its high viscosity and hydrophilicity, HPMC E5 is commonly used to control the release of drugs from solid oral dosage forms, especially from formulations intended for extended delivery. It is also widely used in self-care products such as artificial tears as a thickening and moisturizing agent. HPMC E5 enhances comfort for ophthalmic applications.
Construction applications
The water retention property in HPMC E5 makes it ideal for tile adhesives, plasters, and other construction materials. These materials maintain their workability for long periods even in dry conditions.
Food applications
In the food industry, HPMC acts as a thickener, stabilizer, and emulsifier in various products. It enhances textures in ice cream, baked goods, and sauces, providing creaminess, consistency, and smoothness.
Pharmaceutical applications for E15
Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose E15 is mainly used in specialized pharmaceutical formulations, such as controlled and sustained-release drug systems. It is also popular as a viscosity regulator and thickener in liquid pharmaceutical products for more consistent application and effectiveness.
Construction applications for E15
Other properties of E15 HPMC, such as enhanced workability, water retention, and improved texture, are beginning to be discovered in the construction industry. It is being added to tile adhesives, plasters, and other building materials to enhance their physical and mechanical properties.
There are a few factors buyers should consider to select the most appropriate HPMC grade for their business customers' needs.
Viscosity and grade
The primary consideration when choosing the right grade of HPMC is the customers' needs in terms of viscosity and release at this point. Viscosity grades should match the targeted release interval for pharmaceutical formulations. Low-viscosity grades, like E5, are suited for short extended release, while higher grades, like E15, cater for longer time spans. Other concerns include the solubility of the HPMC grade, as some grades are more soluble than others, and mechanical stability - whether the grade can maintain viscous consistency without breaking down upon prolonged storage.
Quality and standards
When it comes to pharmaceutical-related applications of hpmc e5 e15, it is crucial that the additive selected is manufactured in accordance with the required standards such as the United States Phramacopeia standards. There, buyers should focus their attention on quality assurance certifications, Good Manufacturing Practices adherence, and other relevant documentation. They also need to be mindful of whether the HPMC grade they are about to purchase is free from impurities or additives that may interfere with the efficacy of the drugs or other chemicals they will be combined with.
Additional properties
The title compound, Hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose grades E5 and E15 offer differing rheological properties. Grade E5, with a lower viscosity, is better suited for simpler applications that require basic thickening and water retention. Beside these, E15 HPMC possesses superior gel-forming capacity and higher viscosity. This renders it more appropriate for complex and demanding applications, such as controlled drug release in the pharmaceutical industry and enhancing texture in construction formulation compounds.
The benefits of the two types of HPMC are similar and may even be the same in some applications. These benefits include:
Pharmaceutical: controlled drug release
Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose E5 and E15 are very important in the pharmaceutical industry because they make it easy to control the release of drugs from extended formulations. This is key to maintaining therapeutic concentrations of the drugs over leaned periods, thereby improving the effectiveness of the medication and simultaneously minimizing the chance of side effects.
Eye care: artificial tears
Apart from film coatings and excipients, the E5 grade of HPMC is also a very common thickening agent used in artificial tears and other ophthalmic products. Its ability to enhance moisture and smooth texture has made HPMC a common industry standard in the eye pharmaceutical care business.
Construction: enhanced workability
In the construction industry, HPMC grades E5 and E15 are added to tile adhesives, plasters, and dry mix mortars. These compounds enhance the workability of such construction substances and also improve their water retention properties. As a result, the compounds have longer open times and better adhesion and consistency, which is difficult to achieve without the HPMC additive.
Food industry: thickener and stabilizer
Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose is a popular choice in the food industry. It is a very versatile thickener, stabilizer, and emulsifier used in many food products such as ice creams, sauces, and baked goods. HPMC plays a vital role in achieving and maintaining the desired texture, creaminess, and consistency in these products even under extreme temperature and processing conditions. Another reason for HPMC's popularity in the food industry is that it is non-gelling, i.e., unlike other food additives such as gelatine, it does not coagulate and instead offers a smooth, peanut-butter-like feel in texture.
Pharmaceutical industry: viscosifying agent
HPMC grades E5 and E15 are indispensable in the pharmaceutical business, particularly for preparing and suspending oral liquids. They contribute to the stability and uniformity of these solutions, assuring correct medication dosages during treatment.
It is not uncommon to combine HPMC grades with different viscometric properties. When combined in a single formulation, Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose E5 may help modulate viscosity during initial release. At the same time, grade E15 can take over the extended release. This combination allows for a more refined and accurate control of drug release. Thus, blending different HPMC grades, a pharmaceutical formulator can achieve a balance between immediate and prolonged release that meets the target product profile.
The construction and food industries benefit significantly from HPMC's properties. These compound's water retention capabilities and textural enhancements make HPMC highly applicable in many creams, sauces, and baked goods.
The two grades differ slightly in application mainly due to their viscosity. HPMC E5 is more suited for short-term drug releases that require less viscosity. In contrast, grade E15 is more appropriate for long-term releases and higher viscosity.
As a synthetically modified cellulose derivative, HPMC is a Vegan substitute for gelatine and other animal-derived emulsifiers, stabilizers, and thickeners. This makes it very useful for the formulation of organic and Vegan products in the beauty and personal care business, especially.
The dosage and applications of Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose E5 and E15 in the various industries are different, as discussed below.
Pharmaceutical industry
Grades E5 and E15 of HPMC are commonly used as an extended release excipient and controlled drug coat. These two applications require different viscosity levels, for which the lower viscosity of the E5 grade is better suited for applications that need it, such as immediate releases. At the same time, sustained and controlled releases need the E15 grade, which is more appropriate for this application, which requires higher viscosity.
Construction industry
In the construction industry, Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose E5 and E15 are added to tile adhesives, mortars, and other building compounds at 0.3–0.7% mixed with other additives. The Water retention of these compounds is improved, and their workability and viscosity are enhanced.
Food industry
In the food industry, HPMC is highly valued and widely used as a vegan substitute for gelatine and other stabilizers, thickeners, and emulsifiers. It is typically used in the formulation of ice cream, sauces, baked goods, and other creamy products to obtain texture without coagulating the protein. In these applications, HPMC E5 and E15 are commonly added between 0.2% and 1.5% of the total product weight.
Personal care and cosmetics
HPMC E5 and E15 grades are popular in the beauty and personal care industry for moisturizing creams, lotions, and gels. These products improve feel and stability without using animal-derived ingredients. HPMC is typically added to personal care products at a concentration ranging from 0.2% to 1% of the total product weight, depending on the desired effect.
Some of the precautions to take and some ideal storage conditions of HPMC E5 and E15 are as discussed below.
Storage conditions
Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose E5 and E15 are best preserved in cooler conditions than room temperatures. Ideally, they should be stored at a temperature of less than 25°C. The two HPMC grades should also be stored in dry locations and protected from direct sunlight and humidity.
Avoid contaminants
It is important to note that Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose E5 and E15 are extremely sensitive to contaminants. Any metal or organic contaminants may interfere with their viscosity-enhancing properties.
Handling precautions
During handling, especially when large quantities are to be handled, HPMC powders should be exposed to air and allowed to mix with atmospheric air. This is because the powders are very dense and may form lumps. These lumps can cause uneven mixing during formulation. However, while mixing the powders with air, they are also known to cause dust to rise. This dust may cause respiratory or skin irritation. Hence, appropriate PPE, such as masks and gloves, should be worn during handling.
Use in proper formulation
For pharmaceutical applications, it is crucial to refrain from mixing HPMC E5 and E15 with organic solvents containing alcohols, as this may lead to premature gelling and denatured textures.
Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose E5 and E15 are valuable products as viscosity enhancers in various industries, from construction to pharmaceuticals. They perform critical functions in these industries, such as controlled drug release and improving mortar's workability and texture. Their versatility, alongside measures taken to protect and store them in suitable conditions, further boosts their viability and usability across industries.
