Aginic acid is used as thickener in the food industry and is also used in the cosmetics, textile and rubber industry. It is used as gelling agents in the confectionaries, as gel in freezing fish, antibiotics etc.
Alginic acids are extracted from the members of Phaeophyta, like Laminaria, Ascophyllum, Macrocystis, Lessonia, Durvillea etc. The alginic acids are present in the primary walls and middle lamellae. The salts of the alginic acid are known as alginates. Alginates are the hydrophilic colloid which are non-toxic, viscous and readily forms gels.
