Exploring the Properties and Applications of Hydroxyethyl Cellulose in Various Industries
MHEC plays a pivotal role in the pharmaceutical sector, serving as a critical excipient in various formulations. It acts as a binder in tablet manufacturing, a thickening agent in liquid dosage forms, and a stabilizer in suspensions. MHEC is also applied in controlled drug release systems, facilitating the sustained release of active pharmaceutical ingredients.
The chemical structure of MHEC mirrors that of HPMC. It encompasses hydroxyethyl groups linked to the hydroxyl groups within cellulose. The degree of substitution (DS) governs the quantity of hydroxyethyl groups incorporated, influencing MHEC's solubility, viscosity, and other intrinsic traits. MHEC remains stable under standard conditions and exhibits resistance to microbial degradation.