Sodium Alginate

What is Sodium Alginate?

Molecular Formula (Sodium Alginate): C₆H₇O₆Na

Molecular Weight: 216.121 g/mol

Chemical Name: D-Galacturonic Acid

CAS Number: 14984-39-5

It is the sodium salt form of Alginic Acid, generally extracted from the cell walls of brown algae, and possesses chelating properties. Sodium Alginate is a natural anionic polysaccharide type obtained from brown seaweeds that grow in cold water regions.

It has the ability to dissolve in the presence of cold and hot water with a high level of algination effect. It possesses the property of thickening and binding.

When mixed with calcium, it can form a gel even in the absence of heat.

The method for obtaining it from seaweed was first patented in 1881 by the British chemist Edward CC Stanford.

Sodium Alginate E Code: E 401

Other Names are as Follows;

• Sodium Alginate
• D-Galacturonic Acid Sodium Salt
• Sodium Glucuronate
• Alginic Acid Monosodium Salt
• Sodium 3,4,5,6-tetrahydroxyoxane-2-carboxylate
• Alginate
• Seaweed Extract
• 14984-39-5
• Tagat
• Aigin
• Kelgin
• Kelgun
• Amnucol
• E 401

How is Sodium Alginate Produced?

It is obtained from the extraction of the cell wall of brown algae found in cold waters.

What are the Physical and Chemical Properties?

It is a chemical that is almost odorless, has white or yellowish fibers, or is found in powder form.

The pH is in the range of 6.0-8.0 (in 10 mg/ml H₂O).

In terms of solubility, it has the ability to dissolve slowly in water, forming a viscous liquid. It is insoluble in Ethanol and Ether.

Alginates are stable chemicals in terms of stability. They are not compatible with strong bases, strong acids, and strong oxidizing agents.

It has flammable properties. It does not have a distinguishable taste.

Density: 1.3 – 1.5 g/cm³

Melting Point: No information available.

Boiling Point: No information available.

What are the Usage Areas of Sodium Alginate?

• Among the most important areas of use is the treatment and dressing of acute or chronic wounds. In addition, the use of alginate cross-linking to create hydrogels for cell encapsulation is an extremely important application area.
• Sodium Alginate is used by the food industry to increase viscosity. Another role in this field is its emulsifier property.
• In the pharmaceutical industry, it is used in the manufacture of indigestion tablets and in the preparation of dental impressions.
• In the cosmetics sector, sodium alginate is used as a thickening agent in cosmetic preparations.
• It is used as a stabilizing colloid in ice cream manufacturing. Its role in ice cream production is to balance the creamy texture by preventing the growth of ice crystals.
• Due to its high viscosity property, it is used in the production of some polyelectrolytes.
• It is used to produce microspheres and nanoparticles for drug delivery systems.
• As a food additive, seedless strips within black cumin are made with this substance. It is used in pastry fillings.
• Alginate is used as an active ingredient in the manufacture of oral suspensions to prevent heartburn.
• Some metabolic disorders occur in humans. One of these is Reflux esophagitis. This occurs when stomach acid or bile acid passes into the lower part of the esophagus, causing heartburn. Drugs containing Sodium Alginate are produced to control such disorders.
• In the dental sector, it is included in formulations produced for taking oral measurements.
• It is a substance used to prevent water retention in frozen foods.
• It is used as a binder in the production of sugar-free sweetener tablets. Another binder is Gum Arabic.

What are the Factors Affecting Prices?

Sodium Alginate is a valuable chemical in terms of price because its raw material is not an easily found chemical. And it is expensive compared to general chemicals due to its costly production process.

Alginate prices are directly proportional to their usage areas. As usage areas increase, the price will increase.

In terms of price, it has exhibited a visible radical increase after a certain period in world history. The reason for this is the widespread use of alginate in the medical field.

Sodium alginate is inversely proportional to the stocks of the companies that sell it. As stocks increase, the prices will rise.