Ammonium alginate is a water-soluble salt of alginic acid, widely used as a thickening, stabilizing, and film-forming agent in food, pharmaceutical, and industrial applications.
Ammonium alginate is derived from alginic acid obtained from brown seaweeds.
Ammonium alginate belongs to the class of alginate hydrocolloids.
CAS Number: 9005-34-9
Molecular Formula: C13H16N3NaO4S
Molecular Weight: 333.33861
Synonyms: 9005-34-9, Ammonium alginate, Alginic acid ammonium salt, Ammonium salt of alginic acid, Ammonium alginate [FCC], Ammonium alginate [HSDB], Duckammon, Protamon S, INS-403, INS NO.403, E-403, FEMA No. 2015, Q9QKJ39Q3X, ammoniumpolymannurate, analgine;callatex, collatexarmextra, digamon, protomon, ALGINIC ACID AMMONIUM SALT, AMMONIUM ALGINATE
Ammonium alginate consists of alginate polymer chains (mannuronic and guluronic acid units) neutralized with ammonium ions (NH₄⁺).
This ionic form increases water solubility.
Ammonium alginate retains the functional structure of alginic acid.
Ammonium alginate appears as a white to yellowish powder.
Ammonium alginate is readily soluble in water, forming viscous solutions.
It is odorless or has a slight characteristic odor.
Ammonium alginate exhibits strong thickening and stabilizing properties in aqueous systems.
It increases viscosity effectively.
This improves texture and consistency.
Ammonium alginate can form gels in the presence of multivalent cations, especially calcium ions.
This behavior is similar to other alginates.
This enables controlled gel formation.
Ammonium alginate shows high water-binding capacity, allowing it to retain moisture in formulations.
This enhances stability.
Ammonium alginate is important in many applications.
Ammonium alginate is chemically stable under normal conditions, but may degrade under strong acids, high temperatures, or microbial contamination.
Proper storage ensures quality.
Ammonium alginate should be kept dry.
Ammonium alginate is best described as a water-soluble alginate salt with thickening, stabilizing, and gelling capabilities, widely used across food, pharmaceutical, and industrial systems.
Ammonium alginate exhibits moderate viscosity compared to other alginate salts, depending on molecular weight and composition.
It allows easier handling in liquid systems.
This supports processing flexibility.
The polymer shows good dispersibility in water, forming smooth, lump-free solutions when properly mixed.
Ammonium alginate hydrates efficiently.
Ammonium alginate can form reversible or irreversible gels depending on the presence and type of ions.
Calcium ions typically create stronger, irreversible gels.
This enables controlled structuring.
Ammonium alginate demonstrates good adhesion properties, allowing it to bind to surfaces and particles.
This is useful in coatings and films.
It improves material performance.
Ammonium alginate provides protective colloidal effects, stabilizing suspensions and preventing particle aggregation.
Ammonium alginate, colorless or slightly yellow, may have a slight characteristic smell and taste.
FEMA: 2015 | ALGINATES, SODIUM, CALCIUM, AND AMMONIUM
solubility: Dissolves slowly in water to form a viscous solution; insoluble in ethanol and in ether
color: White to yellow powder
Odor: at 100.00%. odorless
pH: pH (10 g/L, 25℃): 5.0–8.0
Cosmetics Ingredients Functions: VISCOSITY CONTROLLING; FILM FORMING; BINDING; EMULSION STABILISING
Ammonium alginate exhibits a linear copolymer structure of mannuronic (M) and guluronic (G) acid units, similar to other alginates.
The M/G ratio influences viscosity and gel properties.
This determines functional performance.
Ammonium alginate forms viscous colloidal solutions in water, even at relatively low concentrations.
Viscosity increases with concentration and molecular weight.
This supports thickening applications.
Ammonium alginate can undergo ion exchange reactions, where ammonium ions are replaced by multivalent cations like calcium.
This leads to gel formation.
This is key for controlled structuring.
Ammonium alginate shows pH-dependent behavior, remaining soluble in neutral to slightly alkaline conditions.
Under acidic conditions, it may convert to insoluble alginic acid.
This affects formulation design.
Ammonium alginate demonstrates good film-forming properties, creating flexible and continuous films.
These films can act as barriers.
This is useful in coatings and encapsulation.
The material has excellent water retention and swelling capacity.
Ammonium alginate can absorb significant amounts of water.
This improves moisture control.
Ammonium alginate is biodegradable and biocompatible, making it suitable for biomedical and environmentally friendly applications.
It is generally non-toxic.
Ammonium alginate shows compatibility with various additives, including plasticizers, fillers, and other polymers.
It can be blended to tailor properties.
Ammonium alginate is a water-soluble, ion-responsive hydrocolloid with strong thickening, film-forming, and gel-forming capabilities, making it valuable in food, pharmaceutical, and industrial formulations.
Ammonium alginate is a chemical compound with the chemical formula NH4C6H7O6.This is an organic ammonium salt of alginic acid.
This is also a natural polyuronide found in certain brown algae.
Ammonium alginate is sensitive to microbial degradation if not properly preserved, as it is a natural polymer.
Preservatives may be required in aqueous systems.
This ensures product stability.
Ammonium alginate can be processed into fibers, coatings, gels, and encapsulated systems.
These forms expand its application range.
This increases versatility.
The material performs well in combination with plasticizers and crosslinking agents to modify flexibility and strength.
Ammonium alginate allows customization of properties.
Ammonium alginate is a versatile, water-soluble hydrocolloid with tunable viscosity, film-forming ability, and ion-responsive gelation, making it suitable for a wide range of applications.
Ammonium alginate is refined from brown seaweed. A wide variety of brown seaweeds from the phylum Phaeophyceae are harvested around the world to be converted into the raw material commonly known as sodium alginate.
Ammonium alginate is used in a wide range of applications in the food, textile, dyeing and pharmaceutical sectors.
Uses Of Ammonium alginate:
Ammonium alginate is a gum that is the ammonium salt of alginic acid.
Ammonium alginate is cold water soluble and forms viscous solutions.
Ammonium alginate func- tions as a stabilizer and thickener and its uses include bakery fill- ings, gravies, and toppings.
Ammonium alginate is used in the food industry as a thickener and stabilizer.
It improves viscosity and texture in sauces, dressings, and processed foods.
This enhances product consistency.
In restructured and gelled foods, it is used with calcium salts to form structured gels.
Ammonium alginate helps create shaped or molded food products.
This supports food formulation.
Ammonium alginate is applied in bakery products and fillings to maintain stability and prevent separation.
It improves moisture retention.
This extends shelf life.
Ammonium alginate is used in beverages and liquid systems as a stabilizer for suspensions and emulsions.
Ammonium alginate prevents settling of particles.
This improves product uniformity.
In pharmaceutical formulations, it is used as a binder, thickener, and controlled-release matrix former.
It helps regulate drug delivery.
This enhances therapeutic performance.
Ammonium alginate is applied in topical gels and creams to provide smooth texture and stability.
It forms a consistent gel network.
This improves application properties.
Ammonium alginate is used in microencapsulation systems, where it helps protect active ingredients.
It forms protective polymer matrices.
This improves stability.
In biomedical applications, it is used in experimental drug delivery and tissue engineering systems.
Ammonium alginate supports cell and material scaffolding.
This advances research.
It is applied in textile and paper industries as a thickener for printing pastes and coatings.
Ammonium alginate improves application control.
Ammonium alginate is used wherever thickening, stabilization, gel formation, and controlled delivery are required across food, pharmaceutical, biomedical, and industrial applications.
Ammonium alginate is used in instant food mixes and powdered formulations to provide controlled thickening when hydrated.
It ensures consistent texture after preparation.
This improves convenience products.
In frozen foods and dairy alternatives, it helps stabilize structure and reduce ice crystal formation.
Ammonium alginate improves mouthfeel and texture.
This enhances product quality.
Ammonium alginate is applied in sauces, soups, and gravies to maintain uniform viscosity during heating and storage.
It prevents phase separation.
This improves stability.
Ammonium alginate is used in encapsulation of flavors, probiotics, and active ingredients.
Ammonium alginate protects sensitive compounds from degradation.
This increases shelf life.
In controlled-release pharmaceutical systems, it forms hydrophilic gel matrices for gradual drug diffusion.
Ammonium alginate regulates release rates.
This improves therapeutic control.
Ammonium alginate is applied in wound care formulations and dressings to maintain moisture and support healing environments.
It forms a soft gel layer.
Ammonium alginate is used in cosmetic products such as masks and gels to provide film formation and skin-feel enhancement.
In industrial coatings and adhesives, it acts as a rheology modifier.
Ammonium alginate is also used in biotechnological systems, including cell immobilization and hydrogel research.
It provides a supportive matrix for biological systems.
This enables scientific applications.
Ammonium alginate is used wherever viscosity control, gel formation, stabilization, encapsulation, and controlled release are required across food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, biomedical, and industrial fields.
Safety Profile Of Ammonium alginate:
When heated to decompositionemits toxic fumes of NOx.
Ammonium alginate is widely used in cosmetics and food products, and also in pharmaceutical formulations such as tablets.
Ammonium alginate is generally regarded as a nontoxic and nonirritant material, although excessive oral consumption may be harmful.
Ammonium alginate presents very low hazard potential, as it is a water-soluble alginate salt derived from natural seaweed polysaccharides.
Ammonium alginate is generally regarded as safe in food and pharmaceutical applications.
However, standard handling precautions apply in industrial form.
Skin contact is typically low risk, but prolonged exposure to powder may cause mild dryness or irritation in sensitive individuals.
No significant toxicity is expected.
Gloves are recommended for bulk handling.
Eye contact may cause mild mechanical irritation due to particulate matter.
Symptoms include redness and discomfort.
Eyes should be rinsed thoroughly with water if exposure occurs.
Inhalation of dust may cause minor respiratory irritation.
Fine powder can irritate the nose and throat.
Adequate ventilation and dust control are recommended.
Ingestion is considered low toxicity, as alginates are widely used as food additives and dietary fibers.
Excessive intake may cause mild gastrointestinal effects such as bloating or laxative action.
Ammonium alginate is not flammable under normal conditions, but fine dust may present a dust explosion risk in confined industrial environments.