Sodium carboxymethylcellulose having a high degree of substitution has been prepared from different cellulosic materials by treatment with a high concentration of NaOH (18-70%), followed by reaction with chloroacetic acid. With purified jute cellulose, a better degree of substitution (upto 1.05) was obtained, than either with cotton or bamboo pulp. The process of carboxy-methylation was virtually complete in about six hours. The product was freed from sodium glycollate by three successive extractions with 80% (v/v) ethyl alcohol; the purified product was non-toxic. Products having degree of substitution of 1.05 could be used as a stabilizer for emulsion of olive oil in water.