E401 - Sodium Alginate

Author: Dean Rouseberg Time for reading: ~1 minutes Last Updated: August 08, 2022

CHAPTERS (Table Of Contents)

Characteristics: Sodium alginate is a stabilizer that preserves the consistency and viscosity of the product. E 401 is a salt of alginic acid, which is widely used as a thickener, gelling

Characteristic

Sodium alginate is a stabilizer that preserves the consistency and viscosity of the product. E 401 is a salt of alginic acid, which is widely used as a thickener, gelling agent, moisturizer. It is a powder or granules of white color with a gray tinge.

A natural source of E 401 is alginic acid, which is extracted from seaweed. This is done by treating the algae with an ammonia solution.

The ammonium acid formed from alginate is not absorbed in the human intestine, it only decomposes a little due to the existing microflora.

Use

Alginates and alginic acid are used in medicine and as a thickener in the food industry. As a gelling agent E 401 is used in the production of: various desserts, processed cheeses, home-made cheeses, some sauces, canned vegetables, meat and mushrooms, bakery products, ice cream.

Impact on humans

The permissible daily dose of sodium alginate is 20 g / kg body weight. The additive is approved for use in most countries around the world. In the food industry it is used together with other similar alginates. Helps remove radionuclides and salts of heavy metals from the body. Due to the inability to be absorbed in the intestines, people with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract should be careful when using products containing the substance.

Sodium alginate is not an allergen, in direct contact with the skin and mucous membranes does not cause irritation. The addition of E 401 to baby food is permitted .

E401 - Sodium Alginate

CHAPTERS (Table Of Contents)

Characteristic

Use

Impact on humans

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