An insoluble dietary fiber that is tasteless, odorless & colorless powder produced from naturally occurring components of plants. It does not dissolve in water and can be found in whole grain products. It tends to absorb water and other liquids and helps to flush impurities from the body. It is most often marketed as a powder, is reasonably priced. Cellulose today is mainly obtained from wood pulp and cotton. Powdered cellulose is made by cooking raw plant fiber—usually wood—in various chemicals to separate the cellulose, and then purified. Modified versions go through extra processing, such as exposing them to acid to further break down the fiber. Uses and Applications Cellulose powder is used in both powder and tablet forms. As a dietary supplement, it is often marketed as an intestinal tract cleanser or a fiber additive to water for making the digestive tract function regularly. It is often the active ingredient of products advertised to increase the daily amount of fiber, such as Citrucel, which uses a form called methylcellulose. Cellulose is also used as an ingredient in other vitamin and mineral supplements as a binding agent. These products are used by some pharmaceutical companies in the market. Powder Cellulose is used for making Enzyme Cellulose which has demand in textile industry for fabric finishing and fabric softening, in detergent industry for color brightening, softening and soil removal, in wine industry for clarification of wine, in protein industry for extraction of protein and in some more industries. It is an excellent filter aid because it precoats quickly, provides good cake stability, cleans quickly, prevents bleed-through and can be burned to reduce disposal costs. Cellulose powder used in nasal sprays is being studied as a natural alternative to chemical preservatives. Since cellulose powder is resistant to bacterial growth, it is believed to serve as an organic blocker to allergens, viruses and other bacteria. Working with the natural moisture available in the nasal passages, the cellulose powder creates a gel similar to normal mucus, which traps the allergens, preventing them from entering the bronchial system. Cellulose powder is also used in Chromatography. Demand Demand for cellulose is also rising because of the growing popularity of processed food products in China, India and other countries, and because consumers are demanding low-fat or nonfat foods that still have a creamy texture. Cellulose is in demand among industries and pharmaceuticals organizations and because of its fibrous quality, its demand is gaining pace among food industries. The Copenhagen-based company makes ingredients and enzymes using cellulose powder for food, cleaning supplies and other products.