E404 - Calcium Alginate

Leticia Celentano Author: Leticia Celentano Time for reading: ~1 minutes Last Updated: August 08, 2022
E404 - Calcium Alginate

CHAPTERS (Table Of Contents)



Characteristics: Calcium alginate is a stabilizer that is designed to preserve the consistency of the product and to improve its viscosity. The additive is widely used as a condensate

Characteristic

Calcium alginate is a stabilizer that is designed to preserve the consistency of the product and to improve its viscosity. The additive is widely used as a thickener. When dissolved in aqueous medium, sodium and calcium alginates form colloidal solutions, while alginic acid is insoluble.

Calcium alginate is used as a gelling agent, suitable for use in the manufacture of capsules and various coatings, as well as a humectant. Represents granules or fibrous powder with white or yellow color. In its natural form it is part of alginic acid and in the cells of brown seaweed. It is separated from the plants by treating them with alkaline solutions. There may be impurities of seawater in the finished substance.

Use

Calcium alginate (as a derivative of alginic acid) is used in pharmacology for the production of antacids. In the food industry it is used as a food supplement. Under certain conditions, it is used as a gelling agent in the production of fruit jelly.

Impact on humans

The permissible daily dose should not exceed 10 g / kg. The substance is only allowed to be used in combination with other similar alginates.

E 404 helps rid the body of heavy metals such as lead and mercury. The main useful properties of sea kelp are explained by the presence of alginic acid in its composition. Given that the body of people with stomach diseases can not absorb alginates, they must be careful when using products containing the additive.

The food supplement helps to form insoluble iron and potassium salts, which leads to a decrease in the absorption of potassium alginate. The acid obtained from alginates is not absorbed by humans, but is able to decompose slightly in the conditions of the gastric microflora.

Calcium alginate is not an allergen, it is not used in the production of baby food. 

 

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