Carrageenan

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

Where is Carrageenan used?

• Food and beverage: prevents ingredient separation and delivers mouthfeel in dairy, plant-based products, chocolate milk, yogurt and meat alternatives.
• Infant formula and nutritional beverages: maintains stable emulsions and prevents protein aggregation during shelf life.
• Personal care: thickens lotions, shampoos and toothpaste and improves suspension of insoluble actives.
• Pharmaceutical manufacturers use it as a binder and controlled-release matrix in tablets.
• In beer, added to remove foam formed by proteins.
• Synergizes with locust bean gum, konjac gum, xanthan gum and other colloids to improve gel elasticity and water retention.
• Used to capture fragrance in deodorants.

Good to know: Kappa, iota and lambda types are commercially available; each type is selected based on gel strength, texture and compatibility requirements of the end formulation.

Formulation notes

• Kappa carrageenan forms gels at 0.5% in water.
• Refined carrageenan has lower insoluble cellulosic matter and usually appears clearer, while processed Eucheuma seaweed has higher insoluble matter and is often more opaque.
• Stable at neutral pH but can hydrolyze and lose functionality in strong acids.
• Heat resistant for short processing times, making it suitable for pasteurization and sterilization, but prolonged heating can reduce molecular weight.

Typical specification

• The JECFA carrageenan viscosity criterion is based on a 1.5% solution at 75°C.
• Sulphate content is 15–40%.
• Iota carrageenan gives elastic gels with thixotropic behavior, able to rebuild gel structure after mechanical dispersion.
• Lambda carrageenan is soluble without heating and gives high-viscosity solutions even at low concentration.

Regulatory status

• Refined carrageenan is identified as E407 / INS 407, while processed Eucheuma seaweed is identified as E407a / INS 407a.
• Carrageenan has FEMA number 2596 and is included in FEMA GRAS Publication No. 3.

Storage, packaging and handling

• Store in a cool, dry and well-ventilated place.

Frequently asked questions about Carrageenan

Which carrageenan type is suitable for frozen products?

Iota carrageenan is very useful in frozen products due to its elastic network and calcium ion response.

What is the regulatory status of carrageenan for cosmetic use?

Carrageenan is listed in the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) under CAS 9000-07-1 for cosmetic applications.

Technical content is compiled and updated by the SoleChem product team from public technical sources; the certificate of analysis (COA) governs product-specific specifications.