ALGINIC ACID (KELACID)

9005-32-7Y None 232-680-1 8C3Z4148WZN DTXSID601010868 Alginic acid, also calledalgin, is a naturally occurring, ediblepolysaccharidefound inbrown algae.‍‍‍‍‍‍​​​‍​​​​​​ It ishydrophilicand forms a viscousgumwhen hydrated. When the alginic acid binds with sodium and calcium ions, the resulting salts are known asalginates. Its colour ranges from white to yellowish-brown. It is sold infilamentous, granular, or powdered forms. It is a significant component of thebiofilmsproduced by the bacteriumPseudomonas aeruginosa, a major pathogen found in the lungs of some people who havecystic fibrosis.The biofilm andP. aeruginosahave a high resistance toantibiotics,but are susceptible to inhibition bymacrophages. Alginate was discovered by the British chemical scientist E. C. C. Stanford in 1881, and he patented an extraction process for it in the same year.The alginate was extracted, in the original patent, by first soaking the algae in water or diluted acid. The resulting insoluble alginic acid is then treated with an alkaline solution such assodium carbonate, creating sodium alginate, before finally precipitating and purifying the alginate from solution.