Sodium Alginates and other Phyco-Polysaccharides

TRADE NAMES

• Algin
• Kelcogel
• Protanal
• Sodium Alginate USP.
• Agar is also known as Agar-agar, Kanten, or Japanese Isinglass.
• Carrageenan is also known as Irish Moss or Carrageen Moss.
• Kappa-carrageenan is also known as Ceamidopropyl Betaine or CAPB.

Phycocolloids, also known as polysaccharides derived from seaweed, include sodium alginates. They are among the most widely used hydrocolloids in the food industry, due to their unique gelling, thickening, and stabilizing properties. Agar, carrageenan, and kappa-carrageenan are additional typical phycocolloids.

Brown algae like Ascophyllum nodosum and Laminaria digitata are used to make sodium alginates. These algae contain 2-6% alginate on average. To extract the alginates, seaweed is harvested, dried, and ground into a powder before being dissolved in water.

Numerous food applications make use of sodium alginate's gelling abilities. Desserts made with dairy, like pudding and mousse, can have thick, creamy textures thanks to sodium alginate. Additionally, it can be used to stabilize emulsions, stopping the separation of the two.

Additionally frequently employed in the production of fruit chews and jelly candies is sodium alginate. In this procedure, sodium alginate is combined with a sugar syrup that has been flavored with fruit or chocolate. After being extruded into a calcium chloride bath, the mixture solidifies into gel beads. The final candy product is made by drying and sugar-coating these gel beads.

In addition to being used in food, sodium alginate is also used as a binding agent in the pharmaceutical industry as well as a sizing agent in the textile industry.

The US Food and Drug Administration has classified sodium alginates as generally recognized as safe (GRAS).

A variety of food and industrial applications use other phycocolloids, such as agar, carrageenan, and kappa-carrageenan, because they have special gelling, thickening, and stabilizing properties. These phycocolloids are obtained from various types of seaweed, just like sodium alginate. But because every type of phycocolloid has a unique chemical structure, they all display various physical and chemical characteristics.

Carrageenan, for instance, can be used in hot beverages like instant coffee and tea because it is much more heat-stable than sodium alginate. Kappa-carrageenan is primarily used as a thickening agent in the cosmetics industry, though it is also used in the food industry.

Phycocolloids play a significant role in the global food and industrial economies due to their numerous uses. By 2025, it is anticipated that the sodium alginate market will be worth $1.6 billion, with the Asia-Pacific region holding the largest share. By 2025, the market for carrageenan is anticipated to reach $1.1 billion, with South America and Africa showing the fastest growth. By 2025, the kappa-carrageenan market, which is currently dominated by North America, is anticipated to reach $85 million.

PHARMACOKINETICS

Orally consumed sodium alginate is not absorbed. It is eliminated in the feces unaltered.

In the stomach and intestine, agar is partially hydrolyzed; next, gut bacteria ferment it. A portion of the agar consumed is eliminated in the urine.


In the stomach and intestine, carrageenan is partially hydrolyzed, and then gut bacteria ferment it. Urine contains some carrageenan that has been absorbed and excreted.

When taken orally, kappa-carrageenan is not absorbed. It is excreted unchanged in the feces.

TOXICOLOGY

With oral ingestion of sodium alginate at doses up to 10 g/kg body weight, no toxic effects have been noted.

Agar has been used as a food additive for centuries and is non-toxic.

Since ancient times, people have added carrageenan to food because it is non-toxic.

Since ancient times, kappa-carrageenan has been used as a food additive and is nontoxic.

ECOTOXICOLOGY

No adverse effects have been observed in animals after oral ingestion of sodium alginate at levels up to 10 g/kg body weight.

Agar has been used as a food additive for centuries and is not toxic to the environment.

Since ancient times, carrageenan has been used as a food additive and is not toxic to the environment.

Since ancient times, kappa-carrageenan has been used as a food additive and is not toxic to the environment.

SIDE EFFECTS

Oral consumption of sodium alginate at doses up to 10 g/kg body weight has not been associated with any negative side effects.

There are no known negative effects associated with agar.

There are no known negative side effects associated with carrageenan.

It is unknown whether kappa-carrageenan has any unfavorable side effects.

PRECAUTIONS

There are no known side effects of sodium alginate, and it is generally thought to be safe. However, it is always best to speak with a healthcare provider before consumption as with any food additive.

Agar is generally regarded as safe and has no known side effects. However, it is always best to speak with a healthcare provider before consumption as with any food additive.

Carrageenan is typically thought to be risk-free and doesn't have any known side effects. However, it is always best to speak with a healthcare provider before consumption as with any food additive.

With no known side effects, kappa-carrageenan is generally regarded as safe. However, it is always best to speak with a healthcare provider before consumption as with any food additive.

INTERACTIONS

Sodium alginate and drugs do not interact in any known ways.

Agar may interact with drugs that the liver is responsible for metabolizing. Therefore, if you are taking any medications, it is crucial to consult a healthcare provider before taking agar.

Carrageenan may interact with drugs that the liver breaks down. Therefore, if you are taking any medications, it is crucial to consult a healthcare provider before taking carrageenan.

There may be interactions between kappa-carrageenan and drugs that the liver breaks down. Therefore, if you are taking any medications, it is crucial to consult a healthcare provider before taking kappa-carrageenan.

Women who are pregnant or nursing should abstain from consuming sodium alginate.
On the safety of agar during pregnancy and breastfeeding, there is insufficient information. As a result, it is best to stay away from agar if you are pregnant or nursing.

The safety of carrageenan during pregnancy and breast-feeding is not well understood. So, if you're expecting or nursing, it's best to stay away from carrageenan.

DOSAGE

Since sodium alginate cannot be ingested orally because it is not absorbed, there is no recommended dosage.

Up to 10 g of agar can be consumed orally each day.

Up to 10 g of carrageenan can be taken orally each day.

Up to 5 g of kappa-carrageenan can be taken orally each day.