alginic acid

[ al-jin-ik ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. an insoluble, colloidal acid, (C 6 H 8 O 6 ) n , found in the cell walls of various kelps, especially brown kelps, known chiefly in the form of its salts, and used as a thickening or stabilizing agent in foodstuffs, especially ice cream, and for sizing paper.

alginic acid

/ ælˈdʒɪnɪk /

noun

1. a white or yellowish powdery polysaccharide having marked hydrophilic properties. Extracted from kelp, it is used mainly in the food and textile industries and in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Formula: (C 6 H 8 O 6 ) n ; molecular wt: 32 000–250 000

Word History and Origins

Origin of alginic acid¹

First recorded in 1885–90; algin + -ic