Sodium alginate is a salt of alginic acid - a viscous polysaccharide that is extracted from brown algae or Japanese kelp. It is used in medicine as a medicine (antacid) and is intended for the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, in which neutralization of hydrochloric acid is necessary. In the food industry, it plays the role of stabilizer and thickener and is better known to us as the food supplement E401.
Sodium alginate has a “0” level of safety for humans due to its natural origin. It is an emulsifier and is used as a water-retaining agent in the food industry. On the packaging of products it is designated E401, but in addition, there are other names: sodium aliginat and sodium alginate. You should be aware of this if you are a supporter of a healthy diet and are used to carefully studying food labels.
As a naturally occurring polysaccharide, sodium alginate is composed of residues of L-guluronic and D-mannuronic acids. The powder of this substance is cream or light brown in color. It retains moisture well and is easily soluble in water. Its main use is associated with the ability to form gels.
Sodium alginate is produced from brown and red algae. Their production is currently intensively conducted in Indonesia. In the Philippines, Japan, China, France and the USA, processing is mainly carried out. Small processing plants are also established in India, Russia and Chile.
Salts of this substance are excellent enterosorbents, but this is not the only property useful in medicine. Sodium alginate also speeds up the healing process. In addition, alginic acid and its salts significantly reduce blood cholesterol levels. These properties have been known for a long time, and the use has more than 300 years.
There are several interesting facts from the history of this substance.
- The search for a safe and effective compound that binds and removes radionuclides from the body was carried out back in the 70s. last century. As the studied material, kelp algae and fucus were used, which were distinguished by the richness of alginic acid and its derivatives. At the same time, studies were conducted in more than 10 countries. Alginates have been shown to be highly effective in controlling the effects of radiation exposure.
- Most of the healing properties of seaweed are due to the content of alginic acid in it.
- In all studies conducted in the twentieth century, confirmed the safety of sodium alginate for the human body. This made it possible to use it as a dietary supplement.
- The allowable daily dose for humans has been established by WHO. It amounted to 50 mg per kg of human body weight. In Russia and in many countries, this supplement is recognized as safe and approved for use in the food industry.
- Due to its properties, sodium alginate is in growing demand, only in the last year its consumption in the world has increased by 16%.
- As a dietary supplement, it is used to make sweets, marmalade, jams and jellies.
- It is also used for clouding alcohol-free drinks and for clarifying juices; in the production of mayonnaise sauces; fish and meat jellies; as a food concentrate.
- It is used in cosmetology for the manufacture of ointments, lipsticks and creams.
Food stabilizers are special additives that are included in the subgroup E400 - E499. Their main purpose is to form and preserve textures, consistencies, shapes. They are intended to improve and preserve the appearance of products, as they prevent chemical and physical changes. Food stabilizers are used in bakery, dairy, meat processing and confectionery industries. They are divided into 3 main groups: pectins, gums, carrageenans.