**1. Introduction**

Cellulose is the most considerable biopolymer (naturally occurring polymer) on the ground with 1.5 × 1012 heaps of annual manufacturing. This organic polymer is most regularly obtained from plants, and nowadays its significance in food applications and personal and scientific care cannot be dominated out. Cellulose is additionally obtained *via* in vitro synthesis with the assistance of enzymatic pathways, the chemical synthesis from glucose derivatives, and the biosynthesis *via* various microorganisms, such as algae and fungi, as nicely as a number of cardio nonpathogenic bacteria of the genera Agrobacterium, Sarcina, Rhizobium, and Acetobacter [1]. Also, cellulose can be modified using chemical reactions to manufacture some compounds with special characteristics. The changes in cellulose polymer enhance and develop its

**Figure 1.** *Linear molecule of cellulose polymer with D-glucose units.*

chemical and physical facets, which allow the usage of derivatives for many purposes and applications [2]. Structurally according to **Figure 1**, cellulose is a polysaccharide that is composed of quite a few lots to over ten hundred D-glucose units as a linear chain [3].

Cellulose is recognized as "Dietary fiber." Dietary fiber includes remains of plant cells resistant to hydrolysis as digestion procedure via the alimentary enzymes of gastrointestinal system in the human body, whose components are cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, waxes, pectins, gums, and mucilages. These compounds are naturally current in nuts, cereals, fruits, and vegetables. The quantity and composition of fibers vary from meal to meal based on food structure. A fiber-rich diet is less in calorie density, frequently has a limited fat content, is large in extent, and is richer in micronutrients. This large mass of meals takes longer to consume and its presence in the belly might also deliver a feeling of satiety sooner, although this feeling of fullness is quick time period. It is advised that healthy adults need to devour between 20 and 35 g of dietary fiber every day [4]. There are two kinds of dietary fiber: soluble and insoluble. The insoluble substances structure a bulky mass and velocity transit time through the gastrointestinal tract due to the fact of their bulk; cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and waxes fall into this category. Among the soluble dietary fibers are the pectins, gums, and mucilages. All of these have the capability to hold water and thereby expand the viscosity of the food mixtures [5]. Cellulose polymer and its various derivatives have long been applied in manufacturing formulated foods. The modified celluloses (chemical or physical) are beneficial in many food products and the place bulk properties are acceptable targets. This would consist of healthy products, reduced or low-fat foods, taste oil imbibers, or flowable products such as synthetic sweeteners and taste packets. The use of these cellulosic compounds in food processing is typically due to their rheology, managed water interaction, textural attributes, and no longer to solubility or different chemical properties [6]. In this chapter, the use of cellulose biopolymer and its various derived compounds are investigated in the food industry with regard to the principles and innovations.

### **2. Structure modification of cellulose**

Cellulose is a suitable polymer in terms of its potential to create chemical and physical modifications. Considering that the variety of food products needs to provide certain conditions of cellulose behavior and eliminate deficiencies of efficiency, the modified structures of cellulose are widely used in the food industry. Applied biopolymer is derived from cellulose that enables beneficial functions or allows

### *Perspective Chapter: Cellulose in Food Production – Principles and Innovations DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.109204*

really useful features in various food systems [7]. The list of commercial compounds derived from cellulose as an additive in the food and pharmaceutical industries is as follows:


and cold water, while CMC is poorly soluble in water. NaCMC is white and freeflowing powder that is very slightly soluble in ether. Nary organic solvents [18].


In terms of chemical formula, repeating structure and substitution group for cellulose derivatives including MC, HPMC, EC, HEC, and NaCMC are altogether shown in **Figure 2**.


#### **Figure 2.**

*Repeating structure of cellulose derivatives. R: Substituent group.*

## *Perspective Chapter: Cellulose in Food Production – Principles and Innovations DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.109204*

colloidal crystalline component of cellulose fibers and an extra purified structure of cellulose. It is a white, odorless, and tasteless carbohydrate polymer powder that usually consists of up to 350 glucose units. It is dispersible in water but not soluble, requiring large strength to disperse and hydrate [23].

