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E401 Sodium Alginate is used in the production of juices.
E401 Sodium Alginate is used in the manufacture of household chemicals and cosmetic products.
E401 Sodium Alginate is a component of a number of gel-like detergents, preparations.
CAS Number: 9005-38-3
EC Number: 232-680-1
E Number: E 401
Chemical formula: (C6H7NaO6)n
Molecular weight: 10 000 -600 000 (typical average)
SYNONYMS:
Algin, Alginic acid sodium salt, Sodium polymannuronate, Polymannuronic acid sodium salt, Natriumalginat, Alginate de sodium, Algin gum, Alginic acid, sodium salt, Sodium alginate, Algin, Alginic acid sodium salt, Alginic acid sodium salt hydrate, Sodium polymannuronate, Natriumalginat, Algine, Sodium alginate solution, Alginic acid sodium salt solution
E401 Sodium Alginate has a high water solubility and water retention capacity.
E401 Sodium Alginate has high water solubility and water retention capacity.
E401 Sodium Alginate is a food additive.
E401 Sodium Alginate is off white powder or light yellow powder, it can be divided into low viscosity, medium viscosity and high viscosity.
E401 Sodium Alginate has normal gel strength or high gel strength for option.
E401 Sodium Alginate is a white crystal whose appearance and smell are similar to sugar.
In the food industry, E401 Sodium Alginate has the functions of stabilization, hydration, thickening and emulsification.
E401 Sodium Alginate re-shapes chilli pepper powder or pulp that can then be used to stuff olives.
E401 Sodium Alginate is an extremely versatile gelling agent.
E401 Sodium Alginate is extracted from brown seaweed, mainly harvested in France, Great-Britain, Norway and Japan.
E401 Sodium Alginate is a polysaccharide that is abundant in brown algae cell walls (Cystophyta, Laminaria and Fucus) and certain bacteria (acetylated forms).
E401 Sodium Alginate is widely used in waterproof and fiber, as a gelling agent for thickening beverages, ice cream and cosmetics, as an antidote for absorbing toxic metals in the blood, as a food additive, etc.
E401 Sodium Alginate is extracted from brown seaweed.
E401 Sodium Alginate, the sodium salt of alginic acid extracted from brown seaweed (Phaeophyta) with the European food additive number E401.
E401 Sodium Alginate is the main form of alginates used in food that can function as a thickener, stabilizer, and gelling agent.
USES and APPLICATIONS of E401 SODIUM ALGINATE:
E401 Sodium Alginate is used for: Food alginate is registered as food additive E401.
E401 Sodium Alginate acts as a thickener and gelling agent.
E401 Sodium Alginate serves as a stabiliser-emulsifier in final product formulations.
E401 Sodium Alginate is added to marmalades, jellies, candies, ice cream.
E401 Sodium Alginate is used in the production of juices.
E401 Sodium Alginate is used in the manufacture of household chemicals and cosmetic products.
E401 Sodium Alginate is a component of a number of gel-like detergents, preparations.
In cosmetology, these are very popular alginate face masks with the addition of nourishing components (vitamin C, algae, vitamin A, etc.).
E401 Sodium Alginate has multiple benefits and functions in the food industry, including stabilization, hydration, thickening, and emulsification.
E401 Sodium Alginate is mainly used as a thickening agent for soups, drinks, and ice cream, as well as a gelling agent for jellies.
In the pharmaceutical industry, E401 Sodium Alginate can be used as dental impression material, ointment, tablets and their preparation, and hemostat.
In agriculture, E401 Sodium Alginate can be used as seed treatment, insecticides and anti-viral materials.
E401 Sodium Alginate also can be used in resin coating, rubber cream agent, water treatment and so on.
As a leading food additives and food ingredients supplier in China, we can provide you with high quality E401 Sodium Alginate.
E401 Sodium Alginate's unique thickening and gelling properties make it valuable in various industries.
E401 Sodium Alginate is used as a stabilizer for ice cream, yogurt, cream, and cheese.
E401 Sodium Alginate acts as a thickener and emulsifier for salad, pudding, jam, tomato juice, and canned products.
E401 Sodium Alginate is a hydration agent for noodles, bread, cool and frozen products.
In the presence of calcium and acid mediums, E401 Sodium Alginate forms resilient gels.
E401 Sodium Alginate is a cold gelling agent that needs no heat to gel.
E401 Sodium Alginate is most commonly used with calcium lactate or calcium chloride in the spherification process.
Food grade E401 Sodium Alginate is widely used in food, especially in dairy-based frozen products (e.g. ice creams, yogurts, puddings, cheese sauce and desserts) because of its properties of thickening, gelling, and stabilizing.
Feed: E401 Sodium Alginate can also be used as a binder in pets products, other non-food-producing animals and fish.
Pharmaceuticals: E401 Sodium Alginate can be used as an active ingredient to reduce reflux of gastric content or an excipient in pharmaceutical products.
E401 Sodium Alginate is used food additive with emulsifying, stabilizing, thickening and caking role.
E401 Sodium Alginate is the sodium salt of alginic acid.
E401 Sodium Alginate is used in the quantities provided on the recipes in all dairy products, in sweets, creams, emulsified fat spreads with or without flavors, sauces, ice creams, processed and preserved fruits and vegetables, meat products, food supplements etc.
E401 Sodium Alginate is used as a thickening agent in foods.
E401 Sodium Alginate is used as a thickening agent in foods.
Therefore, E401 Sodium Alginate is used in many applications besides food.
For example, E401 Sodium Alginate is used to give hardness in paper production.
E401 Sodium Alginate is used in molecular gastronomy in the spherification technique for the production of pearls and caviar.
In the food industry, E401 Sodium Alginate has the functions of stabilization, hydration, thickening, and emulsification.
E401 Sodium Alginate absorbs water quickly, which makes it useful as an additive in dehydrated products such as slimming aids, and in the manufacture of paper and textiles.
E401 Sodium Alginate is also used for waterproofing and fireproofing fabrics, as a gelling agent, and for thickening drinks, ice cream and cosmetics.
E401 Sodium Alginate is used in various pharmaceutical preparations such as Gaviscon, Bisodol, and Asilone.
E401 Sodium Alginate is used extensively as an impression-making material in dentistry, prosthetics, lifecasting and occasionally for creating positives for small-scale casting.
E401 Sodium Alginate is also used in the food industry, for thickening soups and jellies.
E401 Sodium Alginate is used to make very reliable dental impressions due to its fine grain size.
E401 Sodium Alginate is used to make replicas of human body parts during the filming of special effects.
E401 Sodium Alginate encapsulates certain probiotics so that they reach the intestines without being destroyed by stomach acid.
E401 Sodium Alginate is commonly used to produce heat-stable gels and to impart viscosity in food.
-E401 Sodium Alginate can be used for the following applications:
*Ice cream
E401 Sodium Alginate provides a smooth and soft mouthfeel, and also stabilizes the bubbles in frozen ice cream and prevents the formation of sugar crystals.
-Spherification uses of E401 Sodium Alginate:
E401 Sodium Alginate and calcium chloride or calcium lactate can be used together to shape a liquid into squishy beads or worms as calcium ions can make it to gel.
This way can encapsulate food color and flavor into the spheres.
-Meat uses of E401 Sodium Alginate:
E401 Sodium Alginate (with calcium chloride) can be used as a texturizer in meat to retain the water, enhance the elasticity and adhesion of meat products, and improve the freshness of finished products.
The principle is that sodium alginate and calcium ions form a gel of calcium alginate that holds the water in the meat.
-Supplements use of E401 Sodium Alginate:
E401 Sodium Alginate can be used in dietary supplements to adjust appetite and energy intake.
Alginate–konjac–xanthan polysaccharide complex (PGX) is made by blending E401 Sodium Alginate, konjac glucomannan and xanthan gum in a specific ratio which is used in fortified foods and supplements.
-Food Industry uses of E401 Sodium Alginate:
*Thickener:
E401 Sodium Alginate is used in sauces, syrups, soups, gravies, and dressings to increase viscosity.
*Stabilizer:
E401 Sodium Alginate prevents ice crystal formation in ice cream, stabilizes emulsions in salad dressings, and enhances foam stability in beer.
*Gelling Agent:
E401 Sodium Alginate forms gels for desserts, puddings, pie fillings, restructured foods (like imitation onion rings, pimento strips in olives), and jams/jellies (often in combination with pectin or low pH).
*Film Former:
E401 Sodium Alginate can be used to create edible coatings for fruits or meats.
*Molecular Gastronomy:
E401 Sodium Alginate is famously used in spherification (creating liquid-filled spheres) by reacting with a calcium salt solution.
-Pharmaceutical and Medical Applications of E401 Sodium Alginate:
*Tablet Binder/Disintegrant:
E401 Sodium Alginate helps hold tablets together and aids their breakdown in the digestive tract.
*Antacids:
E401 Sodium Alginate is used in raft-forming antacid formulations (e.g., Gaviscon) to create a barrier on top of stomach contents, preventing reflux.
*Wound Dressings:
E401 Sodium Alginate fibers are woven into dressings.
When applied to exuding wounds, the sodium ions in the exudate exchange with calcium ions in the dressing, forming a moist gel that promotes healing and allows for easy removal.
*Dental Impressions:
A primary component of irreversible hydrocolloid dental impression materials.
*Drug Delivery:
Explored for microencapsulation and controlled release of drugs.
-Industrial Applications of E401 Sodium Alginate:
*Textile Printing:
E401 Sodium Alginate is used as a thickener for reactive dye pastes, ensuring sharp prints without reacting with the dyes themselves.
*Paper Industry:
E401 Sodium Alginate is used for surface sizing and coating to improve printability and surface characteristics.
*Welding Rods:
E401 Sodium Alginate acts as a binder in the coating of welding electrodes.
*Cosmetics:
E401 Sodium Alginate functions as a thickener, emulsion stabilizer, and film-former in creams, lotions, and masks.
-E401 Sodium Alginate in pharmaceutical production:
E401 Sodium Alginate is used in the formulation of antacids.
In addition, E401 Sodium Alginate is part of the therapeutic diet for long-term radioactive exposure.
PROPERTIES OF E401 SODIUM ALGINATE:
*Appearance
White to yellowish brown filamentous, powder or granular, nearly odorless and tasteless.
E401 Sodium Alginate is a polymer of polysaccharide mainly made of α-L-guluronic acid (G unit) and β-D-mannuronic acid (M unit) connected by α (1→4) glycosidic bonds.
The ratio of M/G (were related to the species of seaweed and the harvested season) will affect the viscosity, gelling capability and gel strength.
*Solubility
E401 Sodium Alginate is dissolved in hot or cold water to produce a viscous colloidal solution while calcium and magnesium alginate does not soluble insoluble in ethanol.
*Viscosity
Generally, the viscosity depends on:
*Degree of polymerization
*The molecular weight of the E401 Sodium Alginate polymer
*Temperature
*Concentration
*Presence of polyvalent metal cations
This property can be used as a thickener and the viscosity (1% solution) of its food grade can vary from 4 to 1000 mPa•s.
*PH
Ph ranges from 4.0-10.0 in E401 Sodium Alginate's food applications.
*Gelling
A heat-stable gel would be formed with acids or multivalent cations, e.g. calcium, copper, and lead ions.
A calcium salt is commonly used to react with a E401 Sodium Alginate solution to form a gel in which polymers are cross-linked by calcium ions, such as in the production of jelly.
*Gel synergy:
A firmer gel occurs by the combination of E401 Sodium Alginate with pectin.
Such gels are thermo-reversible compared with thermally stable E401 Sodium Alginate (with calcium ions) gels.
BENEFITS AND CHARACTERISTICS OF E401 SODIUM ALGINATE:
*Effective Thickening:
E401 Sodium Alginate provides high viscosity at relatively low concentrations.
*Unique Gelation:
E401 Sodium Alginate forms strong, heat-stable gels specifically with divalent cations like calcium, enabling novel textures and applications.
*Film Forming:
Capable of producing clear, flexible films.
*Stabilizing Action:
E401 Sodium Alginate improves the stability of emulsions, suspensions, and foams.
*Natural & Renewable:
Derived from seaweed, a sustainable resource.
*Cold Water Soluble:
E401 Sodium Alginate can be prepared without heating (though dispersion needs care).
*Odorless and Tasteless:
E401 Sodium Alginate does not impart unwanted flavors or smells at typical usage levels.
SAFETY AND USAGE OF E401 SODIUM ALGINATE:
*Regulatory Status:
E401 Sodium Alginate is Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the US FDA.
It is approved as a food additive E401 Sodium Alginate in the EU, UK, Australia, New Zealand, and many other regions worldwide.
Usage levels are often governed by Quantum Satis (QS), meaning no numerical limit is specified, and E401 Sodium Alginate should be used in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) at a level necessary to achieve the desired technical effect.
Some specific food categories might have maximum permitted levels in certain jurisdictions.
*Toxicity:
E401 Sodium Alginate is considered non-toxic.
Being a polysaccharide fiber, E401 Sodium Alginate is largely undigested and unabsorbed by the human body.
*Dietary Fiber:
E401 Sodium Alginate functions as a soluble dietary fiber.
POTENTIAL SIDE EFFECTS OF E401 SODIUM ALGINATE:
Consuming very large amounts (far exceeding typical food additive levels) may potentially lead to gastrointestinal effects like bloating or gas due to E401 Sodium Alginate's fiber content.
There have been some theoretical concerns that high intake could potentially bind minerals in the gut, reducing their absorption, but this is generally not considered a significant risk at typical consumption levels within a balanced diet.
HANDLING OF E401 SODIUM ALGINATE:
E401 Sodium Alginate powder is generally safe to handle.
As with any fine powder, minimizing dust generation and inhalation is advisable in industrial settings (using appropriate ventilation or respiratory protection).
E401 Sodium Alginate is not typically irritating to skin or eyes, but good hygiene practices should be followed.
In conclusion, E401 Sodium Alginate (E401) is a versatile hydrocolloid extracted from brown seaweed, valued for its thickening, stabilizing, and unique calcium-induced gelling properties across food, pharmaceutical, and industrial applications.
E401 Sodium Alginate is widely approved and considered safe for its intended uses.
HOW IS E401 SODIUM ALGINATE MADE?
Alginic acid and its salts (calcium, magnesium and sodium) are naturally present in the cell walls of brown seaweed.
The most used species for the production of alginic acid and its salts are Macrocystis, Ascophyllum, Durvillaea, Ecklonia, Laminaria, Lessonia, and Sargassum.
Generally, E401 Sodium Alginate is made by the reaction of sodium carbonate with alginic acid.
The brief manufacturing process is as follows:
*Washing seaweed with water and acid to move water-soluble substances, such as sodium chloride, potassium chloride, colors, mannitol, and soluble proteins.
*Convert insoluble ingredients (alginic acid and calcium alginate) to soluble E401 Sodium Alginate by adding sodium carbonate, and then remove cellulose (insoluble) by filtration.
*Convert E401 Sodium Alginate to alginic acid by adding acid or calcium chloride to form calcium alginate first and then wash with acid.
*Neutralization with sodium carbonate, followed up by the process of drying, granulation or sieving.
FEATURES OF E401 SODIUM ALGINATE:
• E401 Sodium Alginate is used as a thickening agent in experiments and activities.
E401 Sodium Alginate is a sodium salt which is white in colour formed of alginic acid and gum mainly extracted from the cell walls of brown algae.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF E401 SODIUM ALGINATE:
E401 Sodium Alginate helps in treatment for dyspepsia and heartburn.
E401 Sodium Alginate helps in aiding weight loss and controls obesity.
E401 Sodium Alginate buffers gastric acid and makes it less harmful for the lining of the digestive system.
E401 Sodium Alginate is a natural polysaccharide with the stability, solubility, viscosity, and safety required as an excipient for pharmaceutical preparations.
In 1881, the alginate extract from brown seaweed was first studied scientifically by the English chemist E.C. Stanford, who found that the extract of this fucoidan had several very interesting properties, E401 Sodium Alginate had the ability to concentrate solutions, form gel and film-forming ability, based on which he made several applications for industrial production.
PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF E401 SODIUM ALGINATE:
*Chemical Nature:
E401 Sodium Alginate is the sodium salt of alginic acid, which is a natural anionic polysaccharide.
*Source:
E401 Sodium Alginate is primarily extracted from the cell walls of brown seaweed (Phaeophyceae), such as species of Laminaria, Macrocystis, and Ascophyllum.
*Composition:
E401 Sodium Alginate's a linear block copolymer composed of (1→4)-linked β-D-mannuronate (M) and α-L-guluronate (G) residues.
The ratio of M to G units, and the way they are arranged in blocks (MM-blocks, GG-blocks, MG-blocks), varies depending on the seaweed source and significantly influences the physical properties (especially gelling characteristics and viscosity).
*Molecular Formula:
As a polymer, E401 Sodium Alginate doesn't have a fixed formula but is represented generically as (C6H7NaO6)n.
*Molecular Weight:
Highly variable, depending on the degree of polymerization (n).
Typical commercial grades range from approximately 10,000 to over 600,000 g/mol.
*Appearance:
Generally supplied as an odorless and tasteless powder, ranging in color from white to yellowish-white or slightly greyish-brown.
E401 Sodium Alginate can be fibrous or granular in texture.
*Solubility:
E401 Sodium Alginate dissolves slowly in cold and hot water, forming viscous colloidal solutions (sols).
Complete hydration can take time and may require good agitation to avoid clumping.
E401 Sodium Alginate is insoluble in ethanol and other organic solvents, as well as in aqueous solutions with a pH below approximately 3.
*Viscosity:
Solutions of sodium alginate are highly viscous, even at low concentrations (e.g., 1%).
Viscosity depends on concentration, temperature, shear rate, pH, the presence of salts, and the molecular weight and M/G ratio of the specific alginate grade.
*Gelling Properties:
One of E401 Sodium Alginate's most important characteristics is the ability to form strong, heat-stable gels in the presence of divalent cations, particularly calcium ions (Ca2+).
This process involves the calcium ions cross-linking primarily the G-blocks of different polymer chains (often described by the "egg-box model").
The texture of the resulting gel (brittle vs. elastic) is influenced by the M/G ratio.
E401 Sodium Alginate solutions do not gel upon heating or cooling alone.
*pH Stability:
Alginate solutions are generally stable in the pH range of 4.0 to 10.0.
Below pH 3-3.5, the free alginic acid precipitates out of solution.
IS E401 SODIUM ALGINATE SAFE TO EAT?
Yes, E401 Sodium Alginate has been approved safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), as well as the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA).
FDA
E401 Sodium Alginate is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) that can be used as a thickener, stabilizer, texturizer and firming agent in :
*Condiments and relishes
*Confections and frostings
*Gelatins and puddings
*Hard candy
*Processed fruits and fruit juices
*Other food categories
EFSA
E401 Sodium Alginate is listed in Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 as an authorised food additive and categorized in “additives other than colours and sweeteners.
PHYSICAL and CHEMICAL PROPERTIES of E401 SODIUM ALGINATE:
EC Number: The EC number assignment for polymers like sodium alginate can be complex.
It's often considered exempt under polymer regulations or falls under broader categories.
Sometimes specific numbers like 618-415-6 are cited in inventories, but there isn't a single, universally assigned EC number like for simple molecules.
The monomer precursor, Alginic acid, has CAS 9005-32-7 and EC 232-680-1.
CAS Number: 9005-38-3
E Number: E 401
Name: Sodium Alginate
E Number: E401
CAS Number: 9005-38-3
EC Number: 618-415-6
Molecular Formula: Variable (based on polymer composition), typically written as (C6H7NaO6)n
Molecular Weight: Ranges from approx. 10,000 to 600,000 g/mol (depending on polymer length)
Appearance: White to yellowish-brown, odorless, tasteless powder or granules
Solubility in Water: Soluble in cold and hot water; forms viscous colloidal solutions (gels)
Solubility in Organic Solvents: Insoluble in ethanol, chloroform, ether, and most organic solvents
pH (1% solution): Approx. 6.0 to 8.0
Melting Point: Decomposes on heating; does not have a sharp melting point
Density: ~1.6 g/cm³
Viscosity: Depends on molecular weight and concentration; forms highly viscous solutions
Hygroscopicity: Slightly hygroscopic
Color:
White to pale yellow
Chemical Nature:
Sodium salt of alginic acid (a polysaccharide extracted from brown algae)
Structure:
Linear copolymer of β-D-mannuronic acid (M) and α-L-guluronic acid (G)
Functional Groups:
Carboxyl (-COO⁻) and hydroxyl (-OH) groups
Ion Exchange:
Can undergo ion exchange with divalent cations (e.g., Ca²⁺) to form gels
Thermal Stability:
Stable up to ~120°C; higher temperatures can lead to degradation
Reactivity:
Reacts with calcium and other divalent metal ions to form insoluble gels
Sensitive to pH; gels more efficiently at lower pH values
FIRST AID MEASURES of E401 SODIUM ALGINATE:
-Description of first-aid measures
*General advice:
Show this material safety data sheet to the doctor in attendance.
*If inhaled:
After inhalation:
Fresh air.
*In case of skin contact:
Take off immediately all contaminated clothing.
Rinse skin with
water/ shower.
*In case of eye contact:
After eye contact:
Rinse out with plenty of water.
Call in ophthalmologist.
Remove contact lenses.
*If swallowed:
After swallowing:
Immediately make victim drink water (two glasses at most).
Consult a physician.
-Indication of any immediate medical attention and special treatment needed.
No data available
ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES of E401 SODIUM ALGINATE:
-Environmental precautions:
Do not let product enter drains.
-Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up:
Cover drains.
Collect, bind, and pump off spills.
Observe possible material restrictions.
Take up dry.
Dispose of properly.
Clean up affected area.
FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES of E401 SODIUM ALGINATE:
-Extinguishing media:
*Suitable extinguishing media:
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
Foam
Dry powder
*Unsuitable extinguishing media:
For this substance/mixture no limitations of extinguishing agents are given.
-Further information:
Prevent fire extinguishing water from contaminating surface water or the ground water system.
EXPOSURE CONTROLS/PERSONAL PROTECTION of E401 SODIUM ALGINATE:
-Control parameters:
--Ingredients with workplace control parameters:
-Exposure controls:
--Personal protective equipment:
*Eye/face protection:
Use equipment for eye protection.
Safety glasses
*Body Protection:
protective clothing
*Respiratory protection:
Recommended Filter type: Filter A
-Control of environmental exposure:
Do not let product enter drains.
HANDLING and STORAGE of E401 SODIUM ALGINATE:
-Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities:
*Storage conditions:
Tightly closed.
Dry.
STABILITY and REACTIVITY of E401 SODIUM ALGINATE:
-Chemical stability:
The product is chemically stable under standard ambient conditions (room temperature) .
-Possibility of hazardous reactions:
No data available
