Physicochemical Property Evaluation of Alginate

Alginates occur both as structural components of marine brown algae (Phaeophyta) and as capsular polysaccharides of some bacteria. Industrial applications of alginates, based on their gelling, viscosity-increasing, and stabilizing properties, are quantitatively the most important uses of alginates. In contrast, emerging and knowledge-demanding specialized applications in biotechnology and medicine are based on the biological effects of alginate molecules, alginate molecular building blocks, or alginate in multivalent cations (e.g., Ca²⁺), which enables alginate to be very suitable as an immobilization matrix for biocatalysts. Advanced research in these areas is leading to a further detailed understanding of the alginate molecule. The properties of alginate vary from species to species, so choosing which algae to harvest depends on the availability of a particular species and the properties of the alginate they contain. The most important feature of the properties of alginate is its ability to form hydrogels with divalent cations. The chelation of alginate with multivalent cations is the basis for gel formation.

Fig. 1 Alginate chain sequence and the macromolecular conformation. (Łabowska M B, et al., 2019)

Our Services

We have advanced technology, experienced technicians, and a complete and scientific quality management system to provide customers with alginate property evaluation services. Our services are listed as follows, but are not limited to:

• Physical properties evaluation of alginates
• Molecular weight calculation
• Intrinsic viscosity
• Gel strengths of the alginate
• Oscillatory rheology
• Structural features of alginate
• The porosity, volume of water, sphericity, and elasticity evaluation of alginates
• Determination of swelling properties
• Chemical properties evaluation of alginates
• Ionic cross-linking
• Covalent cross-linking
• Alginic acid gels
• Evaluation of mechanical and chemical stability
• Content determination of toxic, pyrogenic, and immunogenic contaminants
• Determination of pore size and a narrow pore size distribution

Analytical Technology

At CD BioSciences, we are striving to establish original analytical techniques suitable for product evaluation, while fully evaluating the validity of the test methods themselves. This is also one of the areas of R&D that only those who are more familiar with alginate can carry out. Structural characterization of alginates can be performed using SEM, XRF, and FTIR techniques.

• SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy) is used to study the morphology of alginate.
• XRF (X-ray Fluorescence) is used to quantify chemical elements in alginate.
• To confirm the presence of functional groups in alginate, FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) analysis is performed.

CD BioSciences is a professional service provider for the marine biology industry. Our properties evaluation services of alginate can ensure that the most suitable methods and techniques are selected for your project. We provide our customers with the most precise ingredient data and highly informed process expertise. Our team of biomass experts plays a key role in the formulation, optimization and commercial evaluation of biomass value-added processes in industry and academia. If necessary, please feel free to contact us.

Reference

• Łabowska M B, Michalak I, Detyna J. Methods of extraction, physicochemical properties of alginates and their applications in biomedical field–a review[J]. Open Chemistry, 2019, 17(1): 738-762.

Please kindly note that our services can only be used to support research purposes (Not for clinical use).