What is Methylcellulose? Its Role in Plant-Based Foods
Methylcellulose is a key functional ingredient in plant-based foods, used to improve texture, juiciness and stability in plant-based products such as burgers, nuggets and vegan escalopes.
In this article, you will discover what it is, how it is obtained, its unique properties and the main uses in the plant-based industry. You will also see how Sanygran, as a manufacturer of plant-based solutions, strategically integrates its use to deliver innovative and high-quality products.
What is Methylcellulose and How is it Obtained?
Methylcellulose is a derivative of plant cellulose, processed to obtain a pure, water-soluble powder with unique functional properties, making it ideal for the plant-based industry.
Origin and Natural Manufacturing Process
It is obtained from the cellulose of plants and trees, chemically transformed through a controlled process that ensures purity, safety and consistency. This makes it a clean and reliable ingredient, suitable for all types of plant-based formulations, from burgers and nuggets to vegan escalopes.
The Unique Properties of Methylcellulose for Plant-Based Foods
Methylcellulose stands out for its functional capabilities, enabling the creation of plant-based products with exceptional texture, juiciness and stability.
How it Works as a Versatile Plant-Based Food Gelling Agent
Its most unique feature is thermoreversible gelation: it solidifies when heated and returns to liquid when cooled. This allows for structures that maintain their shape during cooking and melt attractively in the mouth, highly valued in burgers, sausages and vegan nuggets.
Why it is an Effective Thickener and Stabiliser
Methylcellulose acts as a thickener and stabiliser, helping maintain mixture uniformity and preventing syneresis (water loss). This improves consistency and extends the shelf life of sauces, fillings or prepared plant-based products.
If you want to explore other binding agents, we recommend reading our article on The Role of Binding Agents in Plant-Based Products where we explain how these ingredients transform plant-based foods.
How it Contributes to Water Retention in Your Products
Water retention is key to ensuring juiciness in plant-based products.
Methylcellulose acts as an agent that locks water within the food matrix, reducing dryness and enhancing the final sensory experience. We also apply this principle in our plant-based burger formulations to ensure cohesion and industrial performance (see Methods to Improve Cohesion in Plant-Based Burgers).
Main Uses of Methylcellulose in the Food Industry
Methylcellulose is versatile and used in multiple products: from cheeses and sauces to plant-based meats and desserts, providing texture, stability and juiciness.
How it Improves the Texture of Your Plant-Based Meat Alternatives
As suppliers of plant-based solutions, we know that methylcellulose is essential for creating a fibrous and cohesive texture, mimicking the bite and elasticity of real meat in burgers, nuggets and vegan escalopes. Its use allows the delivery of more appealing and satisfying products for consumers.
Ideal for Plant-Based and Vegan Products
It is a key solution for brands seeking realistic, gluten-free textures, enabling the development of innovative plant-based products that meet current market expectations. Its neutral sensory profile ensures the authentic taste of the final product.
Enhances Texture and Stability Without Altering Flavour
Due to its plant-based origin and allergen-free profile, methylcellulose helps maintain consistency and juiciness without interfering with flavour. This makes it an essential ally for chefs and R&D teams developing high-quality plant-based products.
Plant-based solutions that combine innovation and realistic texture
At Sanygran, we develop plant-based solutions that, in some cases, incorporate methylcellulose to achieve cohesive and stable textures. Our experience as a B2B Plant-Based Solutions manufacturer allows us to advise on when and how to use this ingredient to maximise results, always tailored to your specific needs.
If you want to optimise your formulations and discover how methylcellulose can improve your plant-based products, contact us:
📞 +34 948 488 501 | ✉️ info@sanygran.com