Carrageenan

Carrageenan is a natural polysaccharide extracted from red seaweed. It is widely used as a gelling, thickening, and stabilizing agent in food, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products.

Chemical Composition:

Carrageenan is composed of sulfated galactose and anhydrogalactose units. It is classified into three main types based on sulfate content:

• Kappa-carrageenan: Strong gel-forming properties, reacts with potassium ions.

• Iota-carrageenan: Forms soft, elastic gels with calcium ions.

• Lambda-carrageenan: Non-gelling, used mainly for thickening.

Applications:

• Food Industry: Found in dairy products, plant-based milk, meat products, sauces, and desserts for texture improvement and stabilization.

• Pharmaceuticals: Used as a binding agent in capsules and controlled drug release formulations.

• Personal Care: Added to toothpaste, lotions, and shampoos for its thickening properties.