SODIUM ALGINATE

 

Function

An algae-extracted gelling agent, sodium alginate is used in molecular gastronomy in association with calcium salts for the basic spherification and reverse-spherification processes, whether to make small caviar-like pearls or large ravioles.

Properties

The uses of sodium alginate take advantage of two special properties it has. On the one hand, once dissolved in an aqueous solution, sodium alginate has the property of thickening the preparation and increasing the viscosity. On the other hand, when brought into contact with a calcium solution, it forms a gel. This gelling occurs through a cold process, as opposed to the formation of agar-agar gels.
 

1. Applications

(1).As stabilizer:

Sodium alginate is used to substitute starch and gelatin as the stabilizer of ice cream, controlling the formation of ice crystals and improving the taste of ice cream. It can also stabilize mixed beverages like syrup ice cream, iced sherbet, frozen milk etc. Many dairy products such as refined cheese, whipped cream, rely on the stabilization of sodium alginate to prevent the adhesion between food and packaging material. If used as the cover of milk on ornaments, Sodium Alginate can make it stable and prevent icing sugar pastry cracking.
(2).As thickener and emulsifier

Sodium alginate is used as thickening agent of salad-dressing, pudding, jam, ketchup and canned products, to enhance the stability of products and reduce fluid exudation.

(3).Applications of hydratability:

During the process of producing noodles, vermicelli, rice flour, sodium alginate can improve the adhesion of products, make them with high tensile strength, curvature, reducing the end breakage rate.
(4).Applications of gelling property:

Sodium alginate can be made into various gel food. It can be used to maintain good colloid form, without drainage or shrinkage, suitable for frozen food and man-made imitation food. It can also be used to cover fruit, meat, poultry and aquatic products as protective layers, to prevent from the air, thus extending the storage time. Added in sugarcoating of bread, stuffed filling , cover layer of dessert, canned food, it serves as an excellent self-curing forming agent.
Sodium alginate is also an indispensable dietary fiber for human body with unique nutrition. Combined with organic matter, it can decrease serum and cholesterol in liver, inhibit the rise of total fat and fatty acid concentration. Besides, it can also improve the digestion and absorption of nutrient, at the same time inhibit the absorption of harmful elements such as radioactive strontium, cadmium etc.
In addition, sodium alginate can also be used as feed binder, pet food binder, monomer raw materials of cosmetics.