Carrageenan is a natural polysaccharide extracted from red seaweeds, primarily from the genera Chondrus, Gigartina, and Eucheuma. It is widely used as a thickening, gelling, and stabilizing agent in various food products, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. Carrageenan is characterized by its ability to form gels in the presence of potassium ions, making it particularly useful in dairy products, plant-based alternatives, and processed meats. It is soluble in hot water and exhibits a range of textures depending on its molecular weight and the specific type of carrageenan (kappa, iota, or lambda). Kappa carrageenan forms strong gels in the presence of potassium, while iota forms softer gels with calcium ions, and lambda does not gel but thickens. Carrageenan is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA, although its consumption has been a topic of debate regarding potential gastrointestinal effects. Its versatility and functional properties make it a valuable ingredient in the food industry and beyond.

Carrageenan

9000-07-1: Aquagel, Carrageen, Carrageenan, Carrageenin, Carragenina, Carragheen, Carragheenan, Carraghenine, Deltagel, Gelozone, Pellugel, Pencogel, Vegi-Film, κλ-Carrageenan, Carrageenan gum, Gum chon 2, Gum carrageenan

Carageenan is a mixture of gelling sulphated galactans extracted from red algae (typically Euchuma cottonii, Euchuma spinosum Mastocarpus stellata and Chondrus crispus). The structure of all carrageenans consists of a strictly alternating masked repeating unit of 1,3 linked α-D-galactose and 1,4 linked β-D-galactose with variable proportions of sulphate. The α-linked galactose residue occurs as α-3-6-anhydro-2-sulphate.
The images were kindly provided by Prof Mike Guiry from Cork who runs ‘The Seaweed Site’.

Carrageenan is a useful organic compound for research related to life sciences. The catalog number is T35327 and the CAS number is 9000-07-1.

CAS 9000-07-1: Carrageenan

Carrageenan

Ref: 3D-FC166779

Carrageenan

Ref: IN-DA00IKI6

Carrageenan

Ref: 54-OR1029010

Carrageenan

Ref: TM-T35327

Carrageenan

Ref: 7W-GC3986