Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) is water-soluble cellulose ether produced by the partial substitution of the cellulose hydroxyl groups with ionic hydrophilic moieties. It is a cellulose derivative that consists of the cellulose backbone made up of glucopyranose monomers and their hydroxyl groups bound to carboxymethyl groups. It is added in food products as a viscosity modifier or thickener and emulsifier. It is also one of the most common viscous polymers used in artificial tears, and has shown to be effective in the treatment of aqueous tear-deficient dry eye symptoms and ocular surface staining. The viscous and mucoadhesive properties as well as its anionic charge allow prolonged retention time in the ocular surface. Sodium carboxymethylcellulose is the most commonly used salt. Besides controlling the rheology, CMC is known for its excellent water binding capacity, protein protection ability and film forming properties. APPLICATION Beverages Papermaking Mining Household Products Health & Personal Care FUNCTION Rheology Modification Water-Binding Film-Forming Protein Protection Particle Stabilization