| algin | <plant biology> This gelatinous material, a polysaccharide extract from brown algae, is widely used in foods, medicines, and industrial and household products. The main algae that produce it are Laminaria species and Macrocystispyrifera (a chemically different version of algin is produced by the bacterium Azobacter vinelandii.) (09 Oct 1997) |
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| alginate | <plant biology> Salts of alginic acids, occurring in the cell walls of some algae. Commercially important in food processing, swabs, some filters, fire retardants etc. Calcium alginates form gels. Alginic acid is a linear polymer of mannuronic and glucuronic acids. (13 Nov 1997) |
| alginates | Salts of alginic acid, a hydrophilic colloidal carbohydrate which is extracted from marine kelp. Calcium, sodium, and ammonium alginates have been used as foam, clot, or gauze for absorbable surgical dressings. Soluble alginates, such as sodium, potassium, and magnesium alginates, form a viscous sol which can be changed into a gel by a chemical reaction with compounds such as calcium sulfate, a property which makes them useful as materials for taking dental impressions. (12 Dec 1998) |