Knowra Carrageenan Carrageenan Carrageenan is a family of sulfated polysaccharides extracted from red algae. Its members form gels or thicken aqueous mixtures, making them useful as food stabilizers.
Kappa-carrageenan : A carrageenan type that forms firm, brittle gels, especially in the presence of potassium ions. Its potassium-sensitive gelation explains firm textures in foods such as dairy desserts.
Food additive : A substance added to food to affect properties such as texture, preservation, or color. Carrageenan is used as a thickener, gelling agent, and stabilizer in processed foods.
Red algae : A diverse group of mostly multicellular algae containing the pigment phycoerythrin. Carrageenan is extracted from the cell walls of particular red algae.
Agar : A gelling polysaccharide extracted mainly from red algae. Agar is another seaweed-derived gel former, but its gels behave differently from carrageenan gels.
Food safety : The assessment and control of hazards associated with producing, handling, and consuming food. Carrageenan's permitted uses depend on evaluations of exposure and health evidence.
Iota-carrageenan : A carrageenan type that forms soft, elastic gels, especially in the presence of calcium ions. Its elastic, freeze-thaw-stable gels contrast with kappa-carrageenan's brittle gels.
Chocolate milk : A milk-based beverage flavored with chocolate or cocoa. Carrageenan can help keep cocoa particles suspended and reduce separation.
Chondrus crispus : A red seaweed, commonly called Irish moss, that is a traditional source of carrageenan. This seaweed helped establish carrageenan's use in foods and household preparations.
Alginate : A family of polysaccharides extracted mainly from brown algae and used as thickeners and gelling agents. Alginate is a seaweed hydrocolloid alternative whose gelation is strongly driven by calcium.
International Agency for Research on Cancer : A World Health Organization agency that evaluates evidence on causes of cancer. Its assessments distinguish food-grade carrageenan from degraded forms in cancer-hazard discussions.
Show all 26