Carrageenans

Carrageenans are a family of linear sulfated polysaccharides that are extracted from red seaweeds. They are widely used in the food industry, for their gelling, thickening and stabilizing properties. Their main application is in dairy and meat products, due to their strong interactions with protein. Gelatinous extracts of the chondrus crispus (irish moss) seaweed have been used as food additives for hundreds of years. Carrageenan is a vegetarian and vegan alternative to gelatin in some applications. There are three main commercial classes of carrageenan:kappa forms strong, rigid gels in the presence of potassium ions; it reacts with dairy proteins. It is sourced mainly from kappaphycus alvarezii; iota forms soft gels in the presence of calcium ions. It is produced mainly from eucheuma denticulatum and lambda does not gel, and is used to thicken dairy products.carrageenans. Contact us for more information.