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iWam.com's Complete Wam Guide
MM's Methylcellulose
I was so fascinated by this stuff that I had to do more research on just want it is!
Methylcellulose: The great wam substance!
What is this stuff?
Methylcellulose is a fluffy white powder that, when mixed with water, makes a great slime. It's used for everything from a food thickener to construction. Here are the attributes that made me come to love it:
It's one of those all-purpose substances that is used in everything around us, yet we never hear about it.
Where is it normally used?
Definition
Main Entry: meth·yl·cel·lu·lose
Pronunciation: "me-th&l-'sel-y&-"lOs, -"lOz
Function: noun
Date: 1921
: any of various gummy products of cellulose methylation that swell in water and are used especially as emulsifiers, adhesives, thickeners, and bulk laxatives
(From m-w.com)
Synonyms: Cellulose Methyl Ether, Cologel, Citrucel, MC, Methocel (From Nutritionfocus.com)
Similar to: Natrasol (hydroxyethyl cellulose), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, xanthan gum
Some Methylcellulose Quotes
"...The two chimps that were dissecting the human’s brain and tasting it are named Ellie and Jonah. The brain was made up of methylcellulose, which is a food additive that is added to jelly donuts to make them gel! The two chimps tasted the fake brain and didn’t like it, so the trainer poured honey over the brain right before filming and the chimps loved it!"
From the web, a behind the scenes look at the making of Jay and Silent Bob
"What's in a McVeggie burger?
McDonald's headquarters doesn't seem much interested in the vegetarian experiment of a New York City franchisee. Still, a persistent caller last summer learned that "McVeggies" are actually Archer Daniels Midland Harvest Burgers, which contain soy protein concentrate, corn oil, soy protein isolate, methylcellulose, natural flavors, salt, .., and corn syrup solids. Could be a lot worse, but don't ask what's in the roll."
From VivaVine, March/April 2000
"Methylcellulose is a water-soluble polymer that is used mostly in the construction industry as a stabilizer and thickener in plaster, mortar, and cement. This new capacity will be marketed primarily to customers in the construction industry and in regulated businesses like food, personal care, and pharmaceuticals."
From Herc.com
Methylcellulose is a semisynthetic, bulk laxative used for short-term treatment of constipation. It is available as a nonprescription drug [Citrucel®].
Depletion or interference: None known
Adverse interaction: None known
Side effect reduction/prevention: None known
Supportive interaction: None known
Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability: None known
From gnc.com
How is it prepared?
To get a syrupy texture (similar to shampoo), use about 5% methylcellulose, which is about one heaping spoonful in a coffee cup, or 2 pounds of it in a normal-sized bathtub.
Two things: Methylcellulose will only dissolve in cold water. BUT it will only dissipate in warm or hot water. This means that if you try to mix the powder in cold water without some sort of blender, you will just get globs of clear goo surrounding undissolved powder. If you put it in hot or warm water, the stuff will "dissipate" evenly, but will not be thick because the microscopic particles haven't actually dissolved.
So mix it in warm water then wait for it to cool so it can actually dissolve and thicken. After it's cool, it can take between 15 minutes to a few hours to thicken. Stir occasionally or else you will just have a container of plain water with a layer of thick goo at the bottom. Becomes crystal clear after it's thick. If it's too thick, you can easily mix more cold water. You can heat or microwave it and it'll stay thick once it's already become thick.
You can add some milk to make it murky, and/or some food coloring to make it any color you want. Add a little oatmeal or cream of wheat or some other substance to give it a true gunge texture. It can basically emulate any other substance.
Where can I get it??
You can get it at The Chemistry Store. They also list a lot of other uses for it. Movie supply houses apparently also sell the stuff in bulk.
More Methylcellulose Quotes!
"What is methylcellulose?
This product is a synthetic chemical that loves water. It stays within the intestinal tract and is not absorbed. By attracting and holding water, it creates a softer stool. It is not a true harsh stimulant laxative which should be taken only occasionally. Methylcellulose can be taken long-term. Since it absorbs fluid, it may be helpful at times for diarrhea. It does not lower cholesterol.
What is it used for?
Methylcellulose promotes bowel regularity and is used for chronic constipation, diverticulosis and irritable bowel syndrome.
How do I take it?
Follow your physician's instructions carefully. Mix the appropriate dose of powder in 8 ounces of cold water. Drink the mixture promptly and follow with additional water."
From gicare.com
"What exactly is methylcellulose and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose?
Methylcellulose (MC) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) are the types of cellulose derivatives we make for food use. There are three different types of HPMC allowed for food use which vary according to the levels of methoxyl and hydroxypropyl we add to the cellulose we start with. A good way to think of MC and HPMC is the way you think of modified starches. We modify cellulose in much the same way starch and alginate companies modify starches and alginates. We treat it with chemicals to modify its properties so it's more useful for you to use."
From gicare.com
"Methylcellulose is a water-soluble, chemically-modified version of the natural plant fiber cellulose. It's the active ingredient in Citrucel and other "irregularity" treatments. Since it's completely indigestible and non-allergenic, it adds bulk to the contents of your GI tract without causing gas or other undesirable side-effects.
"It's also available in pure form as a white fluffy powder. Our local health food store sells "Ener-G" brand, for use in baking. But it can be made into a sort-of palatable drink, to use as an inexpensive Citrucel substitute... if you know the trick for getting it dissolved.
"The trick depends on a weird physical property of methylcellulose: it's soluble in cold water but insoluble in hot water.
"Ah, you might think, so I just need to mix it up in cold water. No such luck: try it, and you get blobs of powder coated in thick, viscous goo.
"Here's the trick: In a dry cup, put a teaspoon of methylcellulose powder. Then pour in about 3/4 cup of boiling water, and stir. The powder won't dissolve immediately, but all the little particles will disperse evenly in the water instead of making blobs. Stir every few minutes until it cools to a drinkable temperature. (As it cools, the particles of powder will dissolve and the liquid will become more transparent. But if you forget to stir it, you'll have a layer of jelly on the bottom of your cup.)
"Add your favorite flavoring (we use lemon juice and sweetener), and drink. Yum, slimy-gooey hot lemonade! One teaspoon of methylcellulose weighs about 1.5 grams; for comparison, one dose of Citrucel contains about 2 grams of methylcellulose.
"Don't even think about trying to eat this powder dry. Imagine your throat (and probably your windpipe) coated with blobs of rubber-cement-like goo. Probably best to keep it out of reach of kids as well."
From 24.pair.com
Methylcellulose and polycarbophil are chemically altered forms of cellulose (the cell wall of many plants). The chemical alterations make them resistant to bacterial breakdown.
From Supplementwatch.com
"...[Mike LaFosse] brought sample kozo fibers, a big Rubbermaid Servin'Saver container of methylcellulose goop that looked and felt KY jellylike but didn't dry as fast, a Metamucil-jarlike jar of methylcellulose powder (OK, so I'm gross), and spray mister bottles for water. He was videotaped by his friend during the class. Mike spoke to the class, telling how he got into making his own paper and why he makes it the way he does (less acidic than machine-made papers, can fit the paper to the model, etc.), showing us samples of the paper and the kozo fibers and the methylcellulose. He showed us a turtle whose shell he pulled away and let snap back by itself to demonstrate how resilient his handmade paper with the methylcellulose mixed in was. (Mike, have I mentioned methylcellulose enough yet? I'm still going to mention it much more in this writeup.) He explained why for him methylcellulose was the ideal wet-folding/backcoating substance:
* a little powder goes a long way - a spoonful plus much water made maybe a half gallon to a gallon of goop (the powder is available at wallpaper stores and the like)
* it is not a bug dinner magnet as starch is
* the goop is very hydrophilic, attracting and holding water to keep the paper moist so you don't have to dampen it as often
* it is completely water soluble so you just wash your hands and it's all gone; if you let it dry on your hands it dries to almost nothing because there is so little actual powder plus so much water that makes the goop.
* you can make a big batch and keep it sealed at room temperature, remoistening occasionally if needed, and go through the batch over time
We each got a big sheet... of kozo paper. We used the spray bottles to moisten each side and folded the paper in half, then unfolded. Then we each got a glob of methylcellulose goop which we spread over half of the paper. We folded the paper over agin so the methylcellulose goop was sandwiched between two layers of paper, and we made a square out of that sandwich, from which we wet folded the horseshoe crab... Hey, I like this guy. Mr. Methylcellulose.
From Origami.kvi.nl archives
Related Links
The Chemistry Store
You can buy methylcelluse here! It also lists uses for the product.
MM's Methylcellulose
I was so fascinated by this stuff that I had to do more research on just want it is!
Methylcellulose: The great wam substance!
What is this stuff?
Methylcellulose is a fluffy white powder that, when mixed with water, makes a great slime. It's used for everything from a food thickener to construction. Here are the attributes that made me come to love it:
 |
 | You can vary the consistency anywhere froma light syrup to hard as a brick! | |
| It's totally safe--edible and non-allergenic, even around genitals. | |
| It easily rinses out with plain water--this is the stuff that makes shampoo thick! | |
| It doesn't stain. It's crystal clear and virtually odorless. | |
| Doesn't go bad even unrefrigerated, and doens't attract bugs | |
| It's cheap! Fill a bathtub for around $30. |
It's one of those all-purpose substances that is used in everything around us, yet we never hear about it.
Where is it normally used?
 |
| Toothpaste | |
| Veggie burgers--helps them keep shape when cooked | |
| Bread mix--makes bread moist! | |
| Movies--alien and ghostbuster slime, that slime from The Matrix | |
| Eye drops/artificial tears (an alternate type) | |
| Laxatives | |
| Shampoos and soaps--makes them thick, gives a luxurious feel, and stabilizes lather, making it last longer. | |
| Lotions and deodorants--gives them a silkier feel on application. | |
| Cosmetics. | |
| Shave creams--enhances lubricity | |
| Sex lubricants (because it's safe for condoms and in the vagina. | |
| Glues (like Glue Stick) and adhesives such as wallpaper paste. | |
| Japanese "lotion" is usually just methylcellulose, and used for wrestling in, etc. |
Definition
Main Entry: meth·yl·cel·lu·lose
Pronunciation: "me-th&l-'sel-y&-"lOs, -"lOz
Function: noun
Date: 1921
: any of various gummy products of cellulose methylation that swell in water and are used especially as emulsifiers, adhesives, thickeners, and bulk laxatives
(From m-w.com)
Synonyms: Cellulose Methyl Ether, Cologel, Citrucel, MC, Methocel (From Nutritionfocus.com)
Similar to: Natrasol (hydroxyethyl cellulose), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, xanthan gum
Some Methylcellulose Quotes
"...The two chimps that were dissecting the human’s brain and tasting it are named Ellie and Jonah. The brain was made up of methylcellulose, which is a food additive that is added to jelly donuts to make them gel! The two chimps tasted the fake brain and didn’t like it, so the trainer poured honey over the brain right before filming and the chimps loved it!"
From the web, a behind the scenes look at the making of Jay and Silent Bob
"What's in a McVeggie burger?McDonald's headquarters doesn't seem much interested in the vegetarian experiment of a New York City franchisee. Still, a persistent caller last summer learned that "McVeggies" are actually Archer Daniels Midland Harvest Burgers, which contain soy protein concentrate, corn oil, soy protein isolate, methylcellulose, natural flavors, salt, .., and corn syrup solids. Could be a lot worse, but don't ask what's in the roll."
From VivaVine, March/April 2000
"Methylcellulose is a water-soluble polymer that is used mostly in the construction industry as a stabilizer and thickener in plaster, mortar, and cement. This new capacity will be marketed primarily to customers in the construction industry and in regulated businesses like food, personal care, and pharmaceuticals."
From Herc.com
Methylcellulose is a semisynthetic, bulk laxative used for short-term treatment of constipation. It is available as a nonprescription drug [Citrucel®].
Depletion or interference: None known
Adverse interaction: None known
Side effect reduction/prevention: None known
Supportive interaction: None known
Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability: None known
From gnc.com
How is it prepared?
To get a syrupy texture (similar to shampoo), use about 5% methylcellulose, which is about one heaping spoonful in a coffee cup, or 2 pounds of it in a normal-sized bathtub.
Two things: Methylcellulose will only dissolve in cold water. BUT it will only dissipate in warm or hot water. This means that if you try to mix the powder in cold water without some sort of blender, you will just get globs of clear goo surrounding undissolved powder. If you put it in hot or warm water, the stuff will "dissipate" evenly, but will not be thick because the microscopic particles haven't actually dissolved.
So mix it in warm water then wait for it to cool so it can actually dissolve and thicken. After it's cool, it can take between 15 minutes to a few hours to thicken. Stir occasionally or else you will just have a container of plain water with a layer of thick goo at the bottom. Becomes crystal clear after it's thick. If it's too thick, you can easily mix more cold water. You can heat or microwave it and it'll stay thick once it's already become thick.
You can add some milk to make it murky, and/or some food coloring to make it any color you want. Add a little oatmeal or cream of wheat or some other substance to give it a true gunge texture. It can basically emulate any other substance.
Where can I get it??
You can get it at The Chemistry Store. They also list a lot of other uses for it. Movie supply houses apparently also sell the stuff in bulk.
More Methylcellulose Quotes!
"What is methylcellulose?
This product is a synthetic chemical that loves water. It stays within the intestinal tract and is not absorbed. By attracting and holding water, it creates a softer stool. It is not a true harsh stimulant laxative which should be taken only occasionally. Methylcellulose can be taken long-term. Since it absorbs fluid, it may be helpful at times for diarrhea. It does not lower cholesterol.
What is it used for?
Methylcellulose promotes bowel regularity and is used for chronic constipation, diverticulosis and irritable bowel syndrome.
How do I take it?
Follow your physician's instructions carefully. Mix the appropriate dose of powder in 8 ounces of cold water. Drink the mixture promptly and follow with additional water."
From gicare.com
"What exactly is methylcellulose and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose?
Methylcellulose (MC) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) are the types of cellulose derivatives we make for food use. There are three different types of HPMC allowed for food use which vary according to the levels of methoxyl and hydroxypropyl we add to the cellulose we start with. A good way to think of MC and HPMC is the way you think of modified starches. We modify cellulose in much the same way starch and alginate companies modify starches and alginates. We treat it with chemicals to modify its properties so it's more useful for you to use."
From gicare.com
"Methylcellulose is a water-soluble, chemically-modified version of the natural plant fiber cellulose. It's the active ingredient in Citrucel and other "irregularity" treatments. Since it's completely indigestible and non-allergenic, it adds bulk to the contents of your GI tract without causing gas or other undesirable side-effects.
"It's also available in pure form as a white fluffy powder. Our local health food store sells "Ener-G" brand, for use in baking. But it can be made into a sort-of palatable drink, to use as an inexpensive Citrucel substitute... if you know the trick for getting it dissolved.
"The trick depends on a weird physical property of methylcellulose: it's soluble in cold water but insoluble in hot water.
"Ah, you might think, so I just need to mix it up in cold water. No such luck: try it, and you get blobs of powder coated in thick, viscous goo.
"Here's the trick: In a dry cup, put a teaspoon of methylcellulose powder. Then pour in about 3/4 cup of boiling water, and stir. The powder won't dissolve immediately, but all the little particles will disperse evenly in the water instead of making blobs. Stir every few minutes until it cools to a drinkable temperature. (As it cools, the particles of powder will dissolve and the liquid will become more transparent. But if you forget to stir it, you'll have a layer of jelly on the bottom of your cup.)
"Add your favorite flavoring (we use lemon juice and sweetener), and drink. Yum, slimy-gooey hot lemonade! One teaspoon of methylcellulose weighs about 1.5 grams; for comparison, one dose of Citrucel contains about 2 grams of methylcellulose.
"Don't even think about trying to eat this powder dry. Imagine your throat (and probably your windpipe) coated with blobs of rubber-cement-like goo. Probably best to keep it out of reach of kids as well."
From 24.pair.com
Methylcellulose and polycarbophil are chemically altered forms of cellulose (the cell wall of many plants). The chemical alterations make them resistant to bacterial breakdown.
From Supplementwatch.com
"...[Mike LaFosse] brought sample kozo fibers, a big Rubbermaid Servin'Saver container of methylcellulose goop that looked and felt KY jellylike but didn't dry as fast, a Metamucil-jarlike jar of methylcellulose powder (OK, so I'm gross), and spray mister bottles for water. He was videotaped by his friend during the class. Mike spoke to the class, telling how he got into making his own paper and why he makes it the way he does (less acidic than machine-made papers, can fit the paper to the model, etc.), showing us samples of the paper and the kozo fibers and the methylcellulose. He showed us a turtle whose shell he pulled away and let snap back by itself to demonstrate how resilient his handmade paper with the methylcellulose mixed in was. (Mike, have I mentioned methylcellulose enough yet? I'm still going to mention it much more in this writeup.) He explained why for him methylcellulose was the ideal wet-folding/backcoating substance:
* a little powder goes a long way - a spoonful plus much water made maybe a half gallon to a gallon of goop (the powder is available at wallpaper stores and the like)
* it is not a bug dinner magnet as starch is
* the goop is very hydrophilic, attracting and holding water to keep the paper moist so you don't have to dampen it as often
* it is completely water soluble so you just wash your hands and it's all gone; if you let it dry on your hands it dries to almost nothing because there is so little actual powder plus so much water that makes the goop.
* you can make a big batch and keep it sealed at room temperature, remoistening occasionally if needed, and go through the batch over time
We each got a big sheet... of kozo paper. We used the spray bottles to moisten each side and folded the paper in half, then unfolded. Then we each got a glob of methylcellulose goop which we spread over half of the paper. We folded the paper over agin so the methylcellulose goop was sandwiched between two layers of paper, and we made a square out of that sandwich, from which we wet folded the horseshoe crab... Hey, I like this guy. Mr. Methylcellulose.
From Origami.kvi.nl archives
Related Links
The Chemistry Store
You can buy methylcelluse here! It also lists uses for the product.