Sources/Uses
A hydrophilic, colloidal polysaccharide extracted from seaweeds; [Merck Index] Used for sizing paper and textiles, binding briquettes and tablets, emulsifying mineral oils and drugs, waterproofing concrete, thickening foods, and manufacturing artificial horn, ivory, and celluloid; Also used as a mucilage, dental impression material, protective colloid in toothpaste and cosmetics, and in boiler water treatment, oil-well drilling muds, and storage of gasoline as a solid; [HSDB]