Question

What is the source of alginic acid?

Answer 1

Answer:

Commercial alginates are mainly extracted from species of Laminaria, Macrocystis, Ascophyllum, Eclonia, Lessonia, Durvillea, and Sargassum. Although the main source of alginates is brown seaweed, alginate-like polysaccharides can be produced as an extracellular material by bacteria (Llanes et al., 1997).

Answer 2

Answer:

Alginic acid is a biopolymer formed from chains of polyuronic acids and is extracted from algae sources, mainly Laminaria; it has a wide range of biological applications and may in the future be used in controlled-release products. At present, it is approved for use only in combination with antacids.