What are Natural Polymers?

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Natural Polymers 101

SNP Inc sodium alginate suppliers and PolysaccharidesAt SNP, our goal is to find the best product to fit your needs. We offer a range of polymers for many of applications, including natural polysaccharides derived from salt water plants. Learn more about the natural polysaccharides we offer, and contact us to discuss your chemical manufacturing needs today.

Sodium Alginate

Sodium Alginate is extracted from naturally occurring seaweed, which is classified into four main groups: Chlorophyceae (green algae); Phaeophyceae (brown algae); Rhodophyceae (red algae); and Cyanophyceae (blue-green algae).

Chlorophyceae and Cyanophyceae, which live in salt water, fresh water, soil, and tree trunks are used primarily in food. Phaeophyceae and Rhodophyceae, salt water plants available in large quantities, are important commercially because of their specific polysaccharide content. Agar and carrageenan are extracted from various types of Rhodophyceae.

Algin Acid Polysaccharides

Algin acid is an anionic polysaccharide specific to seaweed. The primary commercial interest in kelp is its algin content with Phaeophyceae or brown seaweed being the main source of align which is found in the cell walls of the algae. Brown seaweed’s growth characteristics make it an ideal raw material because it grows in calm waters and in large dense beds. The plant is also a perennial so it can be harvested more than once a year. Besides algin, there are other ingredients in kelp including trace minerals, which are valued as a supplement in cattle feed or as fertilizer.

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