Sodium alginate is the sodium salt of alginic acid, chiết xuất từ the cell walls of brown seaweed species such as Laminaria, Macrocystis, and Ascophyllum. It is one of the most versatile hydrocolloids in the food ngành công nghiệp. Nó cung cấp thickening, gelling, and stabilizing chức năngs.
Sodium alginate forms strong, heat-stable gels in the presence of calcium ions through a process known as ionic gelation, which is the basis for spherification techniques in molecular gastronomy. It produces smooth, creamy kết cấus in dairy and non-dairy sản phẩm and is valued for its excellent film-forming and water-binding properties. The ingredient is có sẵn dạng various độ nhớt cấp độs to meet different chế biến and end-product requirements.