alginic acid

al·gin·ic acid

A0196500 (ăl-jĭn′ĭk)n. An insoluble colloidal acid in the form of a carboxylated polysaccharide that is abundant in the cell walls of brown algae.

alginic acid

(ælˈdʒɪnɪk) n (Elements & Compounds) a white or yellowish powdery polysaccharide having marked hydrophilic properties. Extracted from kelp, it is used mainly in the food and textile industries and in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Formula: (C6H8O6)n; molecular wt: 32 000–250 000

al•gin′ic ac′id

(ælˈdʒɪn ɪk)
n. an insoluble colloidal acid, (C₆H₈O₆)_n, found in the cell walls of various kelps: used as a thickener or stabilizer, esp. in ice cream, and for sizing paper. [1885–90]

Thesaurus

Noun

alginic acid - a gum used especially as a thickener or emulsifieralgingum - any of various substances (soluble in water) that exude from certain plants; they are gelatinous when moist but harden on drying

alginic acid

[al-jin´ik] a hydrophilic colloidal carbohydrate obtained from seaweed, used as a tablet binder and emulsifying agent.

alginate

A gelatinous polysaccharide extract from brown algae and salt of alginic acid, which is a linear polymer of mannuronic and glucuronic acids, found in the cell walls of algae. It is widely used in processed foods and in medicinal, industrial and household products, including swabs, filters and fire retardants.
Source
Laminaria spp and Macrocystis pyrifera; a chemically different version of algin is produced by the bacterium Azobacter vinelandii.

Dentistry
Alginate can be formulated with gypsum into a plaster like compound to take impressions for crown and bridgework.

Surgery
Alginates are used as foam, clotting agents and gauze in absorbable surgical dressings and packing.

Wound care
Alginate dressings are derived from seaweed made of soft non-woven fibres, and are available as pads, ropes or ribbons. Alginate dressings are extremely lightweight, absorb many times their own weight, form a gel-like covering over the wound, and maintain a moist environment. They are best used for wounds with significant exudate.
Pros
Especially useful for packing exudative wounds; do not physically inhibit wound contraction as does gauze; highly absorbent.

Cons
Requires a secondary dressing; too drying if wound has little exudate.

alginic acid

An ANTACID drug used in the treatment of stomach ulcer and indigestion. When supplied in combination with other drugs brand names are Gastrocote, Gaviscon and Topal.

alginic acid

al·gin·ic acid

alginic acid

al•gin′ic ac′id

alginic acid

alginic acid

alginate

alginic acid

alginic acid

Synonyms for alginic acid

noun a gum used especially as a thickener or emulsifier

Synonyms

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