Sree Manohari Chemicals

Carboxymethyl Starch (CMS) from maize is a modified, water-soluble starch that acts as a thickener, stabilizer, and water retainer, produced by chemically adding carboxymethyl groups to maize starch. It's an anionic polymer, often the sodium salt, used in textiles, paper, oil drilling, adhesives, and food/pharma for its excellent cold-water solubility, non-toxicity, and ability to improve product properties like strength and consistency, often replacing more expensive agents like sodium alginate or CMC. Key Properties Appearance: White or light yellow free-flowing powder.Solubility: Easily soluble in cold water, swells rapidly, but insoluble in most organic solvents.Nature: Anionic (negatively charged) due to the \(-\text{CH}_{2}\text{COO}^{-}\) groups.Benefits: Non-toxic, non-allergic, improves stability, and reduces costs in many applications. Applications Textiles: Thickening agent in printing pastes and warp sizing, providing strength and reducing hairiness.Paper Industry: Sizing agent, wet-end additive, and for water resistance.Oil Drilling: Fluid-loss control agent in water-based drilling fluids.Adhesives & Construction: Component in glues, sealants, and a water retainer in concrete/distempers.Food & Pharma: Thickening, stabilizing, and as a binder in solid oral dosages (like tablets). How it's Made & Works Source: Starts with native maize (corn) starch.Modification: Reacts with sodium monochloroacetate (MCA) in an alkaline (NaOH) environment.Result: Carboxymethyl groups are attached, disrupting the native starch structure, making it highly soluble and functional.