solutions containing high levels of surfactant were prepared using microfibrous cellulose with and without co - agents . the ph of the systems described herein range from about 2 to about 12 . a thickened solution containing 80 % non - ionic surfactant was prepared with 0 . 1 % microfibrous cellulose blend ( mfc / xanthan / cmc 6 : 3 : 1 blend ). a concentrate was first prepared containing 0 . 5 % microfibrous cellulose blend ( mfc / xanthan / cmc 6 : 3 : 1 blend ) in deionized water . 40 g of this solution was introduced into a 250 ml beaker and then 160 g of undiluted triton ® x - 100 (˜ 100 % active octoxynol - 9 from union carbide ) was added slowly with mixing at 600 rpm using a jiffy mixing blade . the resulting solution exhibited good clarity upon visual inspection and possessed the ability to suspend polyethylene beads , gelatin encapsulates , gellan gum beads , and air bubbles . the yield value was 0 . 33 pa ( as measured with a brookfield ® yield rheometer ) at a ph of 5 . 3 . a thickened solution containing 80 % non - ionic surfactant was prepared with 0 . 1 % microfibrous cellulose blend ( mfc / xanthan / cmc 6 : 3 : 1 blend ). a concentrate was first prepared containing 0 . 5 % microfibrous cellulose blend ( mfc / xanthan / cmc 6 : 3 : 1 blend ) in deionized water . 40 g of this solution was put into a 250 ml beaker and 160 g of undiluted tween ® 20 (˜ 100 % active polysorbate 20 from ici ) was added slowly with mixing at 600 rpm using a jiffy mixing blade . the resulting solution exhibited good clarity upon visual inspection and possessed the ability to suspend polyethylene beads , gelatin encapsulates , gum arabic encapsulates , and air bubbles . the yield value was 0 . 11 pa ( as measured with a brookfield ® yield rheometer ) at a ph of 6 . 0 . a thickened solution containing 99 % non - ionic surfactant was prepared using a wet - cake version of microfibrous cellulose . 0 . 78 % wet cake was added to undiluted triton x - 100 and mixed on an oster ® blender at “ liquefy ” ( top speed ) for 5 minutes . the activity (% solids ) of this wet - cake form of mfc was about 16 % so the active mfc level was 0 . 125 % in the surfactant . the resulting solution exhibited good clarity upon visual inspection and possessed the ability to suspend polyethylene beads , gelatin encapsulates , gum arabic encapsulates , and air bubbles . the solution was de - aerated under vacuum and the yield point was taken . upon visual inspection the resulting solution exhibited good clarity with a slight haze and a yield point of 14 . 6 pa . a thickened solution containing 99 % non - ionic surfactant was prepared using the wet - cake version of microfibrous cellulose . 0 . 78 % wet cake was added to undiluted tween ® 20 and mixed on an oster ® blender at “ liquefy ” ( top speed ) for 5 minutes . the activity (% solids ) of this wet - cake form of mfc was 16 % resulting in an active mfc level of 0 . 125 % in the surfactant . the resulting solution exhibited good clarity upon visual inspection and possessed the ability to suspend polyethylene beads , gelatin encapsulates , gum arabic encapsulates , and air bubbles . the solution was de - aerated under vacuum and the yield point was determined . upon visual inspection the resulting solution exhibited good clarity with some haze and a yield point of 17 . 8 pa .