Sodium Alginate
Sodium Alginate is a natural polysaccharide (complex carbohydrate) extracted primarily from the cell walls of brown seaweeds such as Laminaria and Macrocystis. It is widely used as a thickening, gelling, stabilizing, and film-forming agent in food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and biotechnology.
Key Properties
Water-soluble: Dissolves in cold water to form a viscous solution.
Gel-forming: Creates gels when it comes into contact with calcium ions.
Biocompatible and biodegradable: Safe for many medical and food applications.
Non-toxic: Generally recognized as safe for food use in many countries.
Common Uses
Food Industry
Thickener in sauces, dressings, and desserts.
Stabilizer in ice cream and dairy products.
Used in molecular gastronomy for "spherification" (creating liquid-filled spheres).