algin

al·gin

A0196300 (ăl′jĭn)n. Any of several derivatives, such as sodium alginate or alginic acid, of a gelatinous polysaccharide extracted from certain brown algae and widely used as a thickening, stabilizing, emulsifying, or suspending agent in industrial, pharmaceutical, and food products, such as ice cream.

[alg(a) + -in.]

algin

(ˈældʒɪn) n (Elements & Compounds) alginic acid or one of its esters or salts, esp the gelatinous solution obtained as a by-product in the extraction of iodine from seaweed, used in mucilages and for thickening jellies

al•gin

(ˈæl dʒɪn)

n. any hydrophilic colloidal substance found in kelp, as alginic acid or one of its soluble salts. [1880–85; alg (ae) + -in¹]

Thesaurus

Noun

algin - a gum used especially as a thickener or emulsifieralginic acidgum - any of various substances (soluble in water) that exude from certain plants; they are gelatinous when moist but harden on drying

algin

al·gin

(al'jin), A carbohydrate product of a seaweed, Macrocystis pyrifera; used as a gel in pharmaceutical preparations. Synonym(s): sodium alginate

alginate

A gelatinous polysaccharide extract from brown algae and salt of alginic acid, which is a linear polymer of mannuronic and glucuronic acids, found in the cell walls of algae. It is widely used in processed foods and in medicinal, industrial and household products, including swabs, filters and fire retardants.
Source
Laminaria spp and Macrocystis pyrifera; a chemically different version of algin is produced by the bacterium Azobacter vinelandii.

Dentistry
Alginate can be formulated with gypsum into a plaster like compound to take impressions for crown and bridgework.

Surgery
Alginates are used as foam, clotting agents and gauze in absorbable surgical dressings and packing.

Wound care
Alginate dressings are derived from seaweed made of soft non-woven fibres, and are available as pads, ropes or ribbons. Alginate dressings are extremely lightweight, absorb many times their own weight, form a gel-like covering over the wound, and maintain a moist environment. They are best used for wounds with significant exudate.
Pros
Especially useful for packing exudative wounds; do not physically inhibit wound contraction as does gauze; highly absorbent.

Cons
Requires a secondary dressing; too drying if wound has little exudate.

al·gin

(al'jin) A carbohydrate product of a seaweed, Macrocystis pyrifera; used as a gel in pharmaceutical preparations.

algin

al·gin

algin

al•gin

algin

al·gin

alginate

al·gin

algin

Synonyms for algin

noun a gum used especially as a thickener or emulsifier

Synonyms

Related Words