Alginate

Alginate is a family of linear polysaccharides found in brown algae, built from mannuronic and guluronic acid units. Its chains thicken water and form gels, especially in the presence of calcium ions.

Mannuronic acid: A uronic acid sugar that forms one of the two repeating units in alginate. Mannuronic-acid-rich regions influence alginate chain flexibility and gel properties.
Spherification: A culinary technique that forms gel membranes around liquid droplets through ionic gelation. Calcium-triggered alginate gelation creates the membranes used in this technique.
Polysaccharide: A carbohydrate made of many sugar units joined in a chain. Alginate’s long chains of uronic acid units make it a polysaccharide.
Alginate production: The industrial recovery and processing of alginate from seaweed or microbial fermentation. Production choices determine alginate purity, molecular properties, and cost.
Hydrocolloid: A water-loving polymer that thickens aqueous mixtures or forms gels. Alginate is a prominent hydrocolloid whose behavior depends on concentration and ions.
Guluronic acid: A uronic acid sugar that forms one of the two repeating units in alginate. Guluronic-acid blocks bind calcium ions strongly and help create junctions between chains.
Wound dressing: A covering applied to protect a wound and support its healing. Alginate dressings absorb wound fluid and can form a soft gel at the wound surface.
Uronic acid: A sugar acid whose terminal carbon has been oxidized to a carboxylic acid group. Alginate’s monomers are uronic acids, giving its chains negatively charged groups.
Laminaria: A genus of large brown seaweeds, commonly known as kelp, found in temperate coastal waters. Species of Laminaria are among the major seaweed sources harvested for alginate.
Biofilm: A community of microorganisms embedded in a self-produced matrix attached to a surface. Alginate can be a major matrix component in biofilms formed by some bacteria.

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