phycocolloids

By: Patrick M.

Seaweed has been used around the world for thousands of years. It has been harvested for many different uses. Most commonly as a source of food. Phycocolloids come fromRed, and Brown algae. Many different cultures have found uses for seaweed in medicine, industry, dairy, and cosmetic products.
	Phycocoloids are the gelatinous chemical produced by seaweeds.These chemicals are based into three different types of phycocoloids: Algins, Carrageenan, and Agars. These three are used in a wide variety of products in our world today.

Algin Algins are the most commonly used stabilizer and emulsifier in the manufacturing of dairy products. It is extracted ffrom brown algae. Due to its salts and alginic acid, it is used in ice cream, yogurt, and cheese. It is also used in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry in plastics, pesticides, shampoo, and creams. A large amount of this seaweed can be found in the giant kelp forests off the west coast of the United States.
Carrageenans Carrageenans comes from red algae and is most commonly found and harvested in the north atlantic, and in the tropics. It is used in many dairy products and processed foods. Its also used to make many types of gums used in low fat products. Carageenan solutions are mainly used to fortify, or stabilize particles used in low temperatures.
Agar Agars were extracted from red algae for its ability to form jellies. It is used in the canning of low calorie foods, and for pharmaceutical uses such as laxatives. Today its being used to analyze proteins and DNA. This is also found in medical dressings, and nutritional supplements.

Algin

Algins are the most commonly used stabilizer and emulsifier in the manufacturing of dairy products. It is extracted ffrom brown algae. Due to its salts and alginic acid, it is used in ice cream, yogurt, and cheese. It is also used in the chemical and pharmaceutical industry in plastics, pesticides, shampoo, and creams. A large amount of this seaweed can be found in the giant kelp forests off the west coast of the United States.

Carrageenans

Carrageenans comes from red algae and is most commonly found and harvested in the north atlantic, and in the tropics. It is used in many dairy products and processed foods. Its also used to make many types of gums used in low fat products. Carageenan solutions are mainly used to fortify, or stabilize particles used in low temperatures.

Agar

Agars were extracted from red algae for its ability to form jellies. It is used in the canning of low calorie foods, and for pharmaceutical uses such as laxatives. Today its being used to analyze proteins and DNA. This is also found in medical dressings, and nutritional supplements.

Importances

Dairy	-Cheeses -Ice cream -Yogurt -Chocolate Milk -Puddings
Non-Dairy	-Jellies-jams -Fruit Juices -Icings -Candies -Jell-o
Industrial	-Welding Rods -Adhesives -Cleaners -Explosives -Paints
Medical	-Anti-coagulats -Ointments -Dental molds -Ulcer medicine -Gel capsules
Pharmaceutical	-Lotions -Cosmetics -Skin makeup -Toothpaste -Laxatives

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