INCI: Sodium Alginate.
Manufacturer: China.
Appearance: creamy white powder.

Sodium alginate (E 401) is a thickener and stabilizer, a salt of alginic acid. Alginates are used in the food industry as well as in the pharmaceutical industry.
Sodium alginate belongs to the group of food additives and is considered harmless. In addition, sodium alginate is used as a thickener, stabilizer (retains viscosity and consistency), gelling element and water-retaining agent (not only in food, but also in cosmetic production).

In appearance, sodium alginate is a white-gray powder, granules or plates. We already wrote above that sodium alginate is salts of alginic acid, but alginic acid itself is isolated from the cells of algae (red and brown) by treating them with an ammonia solution. Next, the resulting solution is purified.

Main properties of sodium alginate:
• Moisture-retaining;
• Stabilizing;
• Emulsifying;
• Gelling agent;
• Safe food additive;
• Dissolves in water;
• Non toxic;
• Does not cause allergic reactions.

Application of sodium alginate:
• Food industry (used in the production of curds, desserts, cheeses, canned food, sauces, ice cream, bakery products, etc. - a gelling agent and thickener);
• Pharmaceutical industry;
• cosmetic and perfumery industry.

Also, sodium alginate is used to clarify juices, when clouding drinks - non-alcoholic.
Recommended dosage when using: up to 0.5%

The use of sodium alginate in food production contributes to the elimination of heavy metals and radionuclides from the human body. In addition, sodium alginate is approved for the production of baby food.