Edible cellulosic casings and compositions, and methods of formation

An edible cellulosic casing, comprising:

• cellulose;
• and
• at least one modifier comprising at least one non-cellulose hydrophilic polysaccharide, the at least one modifier substantially evenly distributed with the cellulose throughout a casing material of the edible cellulosic casing,
• the casing material having a heterogeneous material structure in which the cellulose and the at least one modifier comprising the at least one non-cellulose hydrophilic polysaccharide provide distinguishable phases from one another in the heterogeneous material structure,
• wherein the edible cellulosic casing comprises, by dry weight thereof:
• the cellulose in a range from about 55 wt. % to about 75 wt. % of the edible cellulosic casing;
• the at least one non-cellulose hydrophilic polysaccharide, of the at least one modifier, in a range from about 10 wt. % to about 35 wt. % of the edible cellulosic casing;
• at least one peptide, of the at least one modifier, in a range from about 10 wt. % to about 35 wt. % of the edible cellulosic casing;
• and
• at least one filler material in a range from about 0 wt. % to about 15 wt. % of the edible cellulosic casing;
• and
• wherein the edible cellulosic casing is free of aldehydes, methylols, epoxides, and enzymes.