Alginate, Polymer Purified from Seaweed

Abstract

Seaweeds are one of the rich sources of minerals, protein, vitamins, edible fibers, and also have different functional polysaccharides necessary for human nutrition. Alginates are natural polymers that are part of the polysaccharides group. Alginate is a naturally occurring biopolymer that is found in the cell walls of algae or brown seaweed. Sodium alginate is one of the best-known members of the hydrogel group. The hydrogel is a water-swollen and cross-linked polymeric network produced by the simple reaction of one or more monomers. It has a linear (unbranched) structure based on d-mannuronic and l-guluronic acids. The placement of these monomers depending on the source of its production is alternating, sequential, and random. Sodium alginate is the most commonly used form of alginate used in wide range of applications in various industries including the food industry, medicine, tissue engineering, wastewater treatment, the pharmaceutical industry, and fuel. This review discusses its chemical structure along with its production process and application in various industries.