Carrageenan

Carrageenan (CAS 9000-07-1), also known as E407 and carrageenan gum, is a natural polysaccharide extracted from red seaweed used commercially as a gelling, thickening, and stabilizing agent.

It controls texture and suspension across food, personal care, and pharmaceutical formulations where precise rheological behavior is critical to product performance and long-term stability.

In dairy and plant-based food products, including chocolate milk, yogurt, and meat alternatives, carrageenan prevents ingredient separation and delivers a consistent, high-quality mouthfeel for consumers.

Infant formula and nutritional beverages rely on it to maintain stable emulsions and prevent protein aggregation during shelf life, ensuring the product remains safe and effective for use.

In personal care, it thickens lotions, shampoos, and toothpaste while improving the suspension of insoluble actives. Pharmaceutical manufacturers use it as a binder and controlled-release matrix in tablets.

Carrageenan is supplied as a refined or semi-refined powder, with refined grades offering higher purity for sensitive applications. Standard grades include food-grade (FCC compliant) for global safety.

Pharmaceutical-grade options meeting Ph. Eur. and USP standards are available to meet regulatory requirements across markets. Kappa, iota, and lambda types are commercially available for specific needs.

Each type is selected based on gel strength, texture, and compatibility requirements of the end formulation. This versatility makes it an essential ingredient for modern industrial manufacturing processes.