Sodium alginate is a multi-purpose ingredient used in important applications across the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industries. Manufacturers looking for an effective gelling or binder agent prize its characteristics and even more so, its cold water solubility and activation. This, in particular, makes sodium alginate stand out from the rest of the many gelling agents that require heat activation. Learn more about sodium alginate production and formulation, and why it is the most widely used type of alginate in most consumer goods.
What Is Sodium Alginate?
Sodium alginate is a naturally derived polysaccharide made from the cell walls of the brown algae Macrocystis pyrifera,or kelp. The processed material is odorless and tasteless, exhibiting a white-to-yellow color in powder form. Sodium alginate is an algae, but unique among the different types of alginate, due to some important characteristics:
- Water soluble: Sodium alginate is soluble in water at any temperature. It is insoluble in alcohol, ether, and various additional compounds.
- Gelling: Sodium alginate’s ability to create soft gels without heating makes it unique. It gels quickly and irreversibly, making it an excellent additive to enhance thickening and to stabilize a range of end-use products.
- Biodegradable: Sodium alginate is safe for consumption and human use and degrades naturally in the environment.
How Is Sodium Alginate Made?
Brown algae is harvested for sodium alginate and then washed, dried, and ground into a fine powder. It is then mixed with an alkaline solution to dissolve the remnant alginate before being filtered, dried again, and inspected for quality. Researchers have already discovered ways to influence the resulting alginate products by introducing different inputs, which has led to the ability to make increasingly customized alginates to meet specified customer needs.
What Is Sodium Alginate Used For?
Sodium alginate’s versatility and superior gelling characteristics make it a fixture in many products and applications. In most of sodium alginate’s uses, its primary role is to thicken, stabilize, or gel, similar to related gums and hydrocolloids.
Most Common Sodium Alginate Applications
Commercial variations of sodium alginate can be categorized as food-grade and non-food-grade.
Sodium Alginate in Food Products
The food ingredient form can be found in countless food and beverage applications, like:
- Gummy and gel confections
- Ice creams
- Meat products, including analogs
- Pastries and baked goods
- Plant-based meats
- Restructured foods – onion rings, noodles and French fries
Sodium Alginate in Medicine
Versatility and safety are prized characteristics in pharmaceuticals, and sodium alginate offers both. You’ll find sodium alginate formulations for antacids, wound care and dressings, as well as:
- Dental molds
- Excipients
- Gel capsules
- Medicinal gels, creams and ointments
- Pills and tablets (including aspirin)
Sodium Alginate in Cosmetics
Sodium alginate is commonly used in several personal care and cosmetic products, including:
- Creams
- Hair products
- Lotions
- Toothpaste
Demand for Sodium Alginate Is Growing
The market for alginates is growing due to rapidly increasing demand in food applications and growing consumer acceptance of the ingredient for new products. At the same time, demand for sodium alginate in print and dye applications is dwindling. Overall, alginate sales are growing at 3.8% annually.
Quality Ingredients and Top-notch Service; That’s Tilley
At Tilley, we’re excited about the dynamic function of sodium alginate and its potential in many of the industries we serve. In addition to a strict quality assurance process, our in-house technicians develop bespoke products designed to meet your specific needs.
To learn more about our food-grade sodium alginate as well as our full product catalog and laboratory capabilities, contact a Tilley representative today.
