Alginic acid

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Alginic Acid

Alginic acid (pronounced: al-JIN-ik AS-id), also known as alginate, is a natural polysaccharide that is extracted from the cell walls of brown algae. It is commonly used in the food and pharmaceutical industries due to its unique properties.

Etymology

The term "alginic acid" is derived from the Latin algae, meaning "seaweed", and the suffix -ic, which is used in chemistry to denote a substance related to or derived from another substance. The term "alginate" is derived from the same root, with the suffix -ate indicating a salt or ester of an acid.

Uses

Alginic acid is used in a variety of applications due to its ability to form a gel. In the food industry, it is used as a thickening agent, stabilizer, and emulsifier. In the pharmaceutical industry, it is used in the production of controlled-release drugs and as a component of antacids, where it forms a protective barrier on the stomach wall.

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