ALGINATES
FORMULA
Alginates
What are alginates?.................................... 02
What can alginates do for you? ................ 02
Unique structure. Precision harvesting ...... 03
From seaweed to functionality ................. 04
The science behind the product ............... 04
Functionality
Viscosity .................................................... 06
Gel formation .............................................. 08
Film formation .......................................... 11
The following are trademarks or service marks of FMC Corporation or its subsidiaries, which may be Registered U.S. Patent & Trademark
Office and in other countries: FMC Logo, Protacid, Protanal, NovaMatrix, The Science of Formulation and The Science of Formulation mark.
01
ALGINATES
A world of possibilities
lies just below the surface
Unique structure.
Precision harvesting
The primary brown seaweed utilized Using a proprietary process employing
by FMC BioPolymer for the extraction of specially designed trawlers and mechanical
alginates is Laminaria hyperborea, which harvesting equipment, FMC harvests
is harvested off the west coast of Norway. seaweed in a way that sustains regrowth,
in accordance with advice provided by the
At these latitudes the waters are Norwegian Marine Research Institute and
clear and clean, resulting in a healthy, the Directorate of Fisheries. This responsible
sustainable, renewable crop which grows resource management solidifies our position
just below the surface. Water temperature as a long-term provider of a consistent,
also plays an important role, and the reliable supply of highly functional, cost-
consistently cold water found in this effective alginates to customers in the
region results in plants containing pharmaceutical and medical industries.
alginates with a molecular structure
that accentuates their useful properties. In order to supply alginates with different
functionalities, FMC BioPolymer also
utilizes other sources of brown seaweed,
which are harvested off the Chilean coast
(figure 1).
At these latitudes the waters are clear and clean, resulting in a healthy,
sustainable, renewable crop which grows just below the surface.
Figure 1. Industrially
utilized brown seaweed.
Laminaria hyperborea
Laminaria digitata
Laminaria japonica
Ascophyllum nodosum
Ecklonia
Lessonia
Macrocystis pyrifera
Durvillaea
04
From seaweed
to functionality
Alginate occurs naturally in seaweed mainly What does this mean for you? It means Alginate is a block copolymer composed
in the form of calcium, magnesium and that FMCs alginate products are among of longer homopolymeric regions of M
sodium salts. To transform seaweed into the most reliable in the industry. It means or G, potentially separated by regions
products like Protanal alginates and Protacid that you can introduce alginates into the of alternating structure (MG) (figure 4).
alginic acid, FMC has developed a process formulation process with the highest The proportion, distribution and length
that extracts alginate while thoroughly degree of confidence. And it means that of these blocks determine the chemical
removing all other biological and inorganic were able to provide the versatility you and physical properties of the alginate
impurities (figure 2). This stringently need to ensure success in a wide range molecules. While G-blocks provide
controlled process ensures that our of formulations. gel-forming capacity, MM and MG
alginates are of a consistently high quality. units provide flexibility to the uronic
acid chains, with flexibility increasing
Whether your needs call for excipient
grade, active pharmaceutical or ultrapure
The science behind in the order GG<MM<MG.
NH4 -Alginate
Neutralization / Incorporation
Mg-Alginate
Ca-Alginate
Drying
Propylene Glycol Alginate
Milling
Blending
Packaging
Figure 3. The monomers of alginate.
(1,4) - D - mannuronate
(1,4) - L - guluronate
FUNCTIONALITY
Viscosity
32000 100000
30000
28000
26000 High viscosity 10000
24000 Medium viscosity
Apparent Viscosity (mPa*s)
20000 1000
18000
16000
14000
100
12000
10000
8000 2.5%
10 1.5%
6000
0.5%
4000
2000
0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.5 4.0 01 10 100 1000 10000
Concentration (%) Shear Rate (s-1)
07
Figure 7. Viscosity of three 1% Protanal Figure 8. Propylene glycol alginate: Alginic acid chain with some acid
alginate solutions at different temperatures. residues esterified (R indicates ester group, H indicates acid group).
Medium viscosity
700
Low viscosity
600
500
400
300
200
100
10 20 30 40 50 60
Temperature (C)
M G M
08
Gel formation
Gel formation is another area in which To fully appreciate the potential of alginates
alginates have shown great promise. gel-forming properties, it helps to understand
An alginates ability to form a gel is the chemistry behind gel formation. Regions
determined by the proportion and length of guluronate monomers, or G-blocks, in
of G-blocks in its molecular structure, one alginate molecule can be linked to a
a position of strength for FMCs alginates similar region in another alginate molecule
due to several factors (table 1). First, by means of calcium ions or other multivalent
we use Laminaria hyperborea, which has cations (figure 9). The divalent calcium
one of the highest G-block contents of cation, Ca2+, fits into the guluronate block
any species. Because the stems of structure like eggs in an egg box (figure 10).
Laminaria hyperborea possess the highest This binds the alginate polymers together
concentrations of guluronate monomers by forming junction zones, resulting
we process these stems separately, resulting in gelation of the solution.
in alginates with superior gel-forming
capabilities. Second, our choice of harvesting
locationcold, rough watersfacilitates
higher G-block content. And finally, proprietary
processing refinements enable us to
extract alginates that form stronger
gelling networks.
Lessonia nigrescens 40 38 22
Lessonia trabeculata 25 26 49
Durvillaea antarctica 56 26 18
Laminaria digitata 43 32 25
Ecklonia maxima 38 24 28
Macrocystis pyrifera 38 46 16
Ascophyllum nodosum 44 40 16
Laminaria japonica 48 36 16
09
Figure 9. Calcium Figure 10. Egg box model Figure 11. Factors influencing
binding site in G-blocks. for alginate gel formation. gel formation and properties.
Calcium
pH
Solubility
Temperature
Alginate Sequestrant
10
While alginates naturally lend themselves One example of using diffusion setting is In an internal setting process, calcium is
to multiple gelling methods, the two most in manufacturing calcium alginate fibers released within the product under controlled
frequently used are diffusion setting and for wound dressings. In this case, alginate conditions. This method employs the
internal setting. solution is extruded into a calcium bath combination of alginate, a slowly soluble
through fine nozzles and the fibers gel by calcium salt and a suitable calcium
In a diffusion setting system at neutral pH, calcium diffusion into the fine threads. This sequestrant, such as a phosphate or
an alginate solution, or a mixture containing principle is also used when encapsulating citrate. A sequestrant is needed to bind
alginate, is gelled by being dipped into, cells or materials in alginate beads. free calcium and prevent pregelation of
or sprayed with, a calcium salt solution the alginate during the time the product
(calcium chloride is the most commonly The diffusion setting system can also be is mixed (prior to being cast into the
used). The calcium ions diffuse into the triggered by lowering pH. To accomplish desired shape). The shorter the mixing time,
solution and react with the alginate molecules, this, a calcium salt that is insoluble at neutral the lower the level of sequestrant needed.
forming a calcium alginate gel. This process pH is mixed with the alginate. When the
is especially suitable for relatively thin or acid comes into contact with the surface The internal setting method may be
small dimension materials, or when trying of this mass, the calcium salt is solubilized. performed at neutral or acidic pH and
to provide a thin coating on a product The solubilized calcium will then react with acidity may be achieved through the
surface. The rate of diffusion can be the alginate, triggering the gelation process. addition of an acidifier, which will
increased by raising the concentration One example of this application is anti- accelerate the solubility of the calcium
of calcium in the setting bath or spray reflux medicines, where alginate forms salts. This method is commonly used
and by using a strongly calcium-reactive a protective raft in the stomach. for dental impression materials.
alginate, such as an alginate with a high
proportion of G-blocks.
11
Film formation
Propylene glycol alginate Protanal Ester Suspending agent/stabilizer, plastisizer, binder, emulsifier
A WORLD OF POSSIBILITIES
LIES JUST BELOW THE SURFACE
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