The large quantities polysaccharides present in brown seaweed exist in structural carbohydrates including
alginic acid, fucoidan and laminaran, and consists of heteropolysaccharides such as D-mannuronic acid and its isomer of L-guluronic acid, which account for most of the cell walls of Phaeophyceae, including brown seaweed (Beresford et al.
Salts of
alginic acid are soluble in water with alkali metals, and form highly viscous solutions.
Chemically,
alginic acid is a block copolymer of anhydro [beta]-D mannuronic acid and anhydro [alpha]-D glucouronic acid.
Demulcents, such as
alginic acid, Ceratonia siliqua (carob), U/mar rubra (slippery elm), A/thaea officinalis (marshmallow), and Aloe vera (aloe) leaf gel can reduce acute symptoms and heal acid-damaged tissues.
It is a combination of two ingredients,
alginic acid and calcium carbonate that activates the disintegration system.
The microgel material may be made from a variety of gellants including hydrophilic proteins such as gelatin and collagen, and hydrophilic polysaccharides such as agar, curdlan, scleroglucan, schizophyllan, gellan gum,
alginic acid, carrageenan, mannan, pectin and hyaluronic acid.
Alginic acid has anti-anaphylactic effects and inhibits inflammatory cytokine expression via suppression of nuclear factor--Kappa [beta] activation.
The assessment follows the European Commission's banning in April of jelly mini-cups made with 16 additives, including
alginic acid, processed euchema seaweed, locust bean gum, and others, extending restrictions on cups containing konjac.
Carole is sensitive to food additives such as MSG, sulphur dioxide and
alginic acid, found in packaged foods, soft drinks, alcohol, bottled sauces, Chinese food and dried fruits.
Experiments with fruit juices and the soluble salts of
alginic acid derived from common seaweed to help to stabilise the soil base of roads and cheapen the cost of road-making are being made by Mr H E Brooke-Bradley, deputy county surveyor for Worcestershire.
An antacid combined with a foaming agent such as
alginic acid helps some people.