Your Trusted Partner in Alginate Production
CD BioGlyco has dedicated itself to delivering expert Marine Biomolecule Production Services to our clients for numerous years, during which our unparalleled Marine Carbohydrate Production Services have not only supported our global clientele but also propelled their research endeavors forward. With our extensive experience in Marine Plant Polysaccharide Production, including Fucoidan, Laminarin, and Carrageenan production, we are confident in providing you with the most comprehensive and detailed alginate production service.
Alginate extraction
- Acid-base extraction
We start by crushing and grinding algal material that contains alginate, such as brown algae, before extracting the algal material in acidic conditions using sulfuric acid or hydrochloric acid. After that, we transform the extracted alginate into sodium alginate through alkaline neutralization. Finally, we obtain the end product through processes of filtration, concentration, and drying.
- Enzymatic extraction
We utilize specific hydrolytic enzymes to break down the cell walls of seaweed to release alginate. Enzymatic production of alginate typically allows for more precise control of the properties and molecular structure of the products. In this process, alginate is not usually in contact with an acidic environment and therefore retains more of its natural functional properties.
Microbial fermentation production
Microbial strains that are capable of synthesizing alginate efficiently, such as certain bacteria (e.g., Pseudomonas, Azotobacter, Azomonas, etc.) or fungi (e.g., Aspergillus niger, Ganoderma lucidum, etc.), are selected. These strains usually have a high capacity for alginate production. At the same time, we provide the nutrients required for microbial growth and alginate production, such as the selection of appropriate carbon sources, nitrogen sources, mineral salts, and growth factors. We then precisely control the temperature, pH, and oxygen supply of the fermentation to promote the biosynthesis of alginate. Microorganisms grow and metabolize alginate during the fermentation process, and we partially isolate the alginate in the fermentation broth or in vitro from the microorganisms. After harvesting the alginate, further purification and refining steps can be carried out to obtain a product that is highly pure and meets the requirements of specific applications.
Publication
Technology: Bacterial alginate production
Journal: International Journal of Polymer Science
IF: 3.3
Published: 2016
Results: This article focuses on the production of alginate using alternative carbon sources and the application of polymeric adsorbents in heavy metal removal. Different carbon sources such as sugar beet molasses, maltose, and starch were used in the study to produce alginate. The experimental results showed that alginate production from sugar beet molasses and maltose was comparable to glucose and sucrose. In addition, the study explored the changes in alginate yield over time. The experimental results showed that bacterial growth and alginate production showed similar trends when these carbon sources were used. In addition, the study used an alginate-zeolite-based adsorbent to remove copper ions. The experimental results showed that the adsorbent was more effective in removing copper ions and the adsorption capacity increased with the increase of the initial copper ion concentration.
Fig.1 Production of alginate using various carbon sources. (Kıvılcımdan Moral & Yıldız, 2016)
Applications
- Due to its biocompatibility and gel-forming ability, alginate is used in the development of medical products such as extended-release agents for pharmaceuticals, capsule fillers, wound dressings, and dental impressions.
- Alginate is used in biotechnology as a component of culture media for the cultivation and isolation of cells, as well as in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine for scaffold and carrier materials.
- Alginate is used as a stabilizer and thickener for industrial slurries, such as textile printing and dyeing, paper industry to prevent slurry agglomeration and improve slurry fluidity.
Fig.2 Schematic representation of the characteristics of alginate. (Adamiak & Sionkowska, 2023)
Advantages
- Our experts control the properties of alginate by controlling the extraction and processing conditions for adjustment, such as molecular weight, gel strength, etc., which can be customized to meet the needs of different applications.
- Our bacterial fermentation production is the primary method for industrialized production due to its high level of controllability and adjustability.
- We use advanced extraction and processing technology to efficiently extract high-purity alginate from seaweeds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is alginate?
Alginate is a natural polysaccharide found mainly in the cell walls of seaweeds such as brown algae. It consists of two main monosaccharides, Guluronic acid, and mannuronic acid, which are linked by a 1-4 glycosidic bond to form a linear polysaccharide chain. The structure and properties of alginate give it excellent water solubility and gel-forming ability.
How stable is alginate at different pH and temperature conditions?
Typically, alginate is stable in neutral to alkaline environments (pH 7-10) and retains its gel properties and water solubility. Under acidic conditions (pH<3.5), alginate may lose its gel-forming ability or dissolve. Alginate is temperature stable and maintains its functional properties over a wide range of temperatures. In general, alginate is stable at room temperature, but for long-term storage or special applications, care needs to be taken to avoid extremely high or low-temperature conditions that could affect its molecular structure and functionality.
CD BioGlyco has been leading the way in the research and development of marine carbohydrates. We are pleased to provide our valued clients with professional alginate production service, utilizing our advanced technology and expertise in this area. Please feel free to contact us if you need more information.
Reference
- Kıvılcımdan Moral, Ç.; Yıldız, M. Alginate production from alternative carbon sources and use of polymer based adsorbent in heavy metal removal. International Journal of Polymer Science. 2016, 2016(1): 7109825.
- Adamiak, K.; Sionkowska, A. State of innovation in alginate-based materials. Marine Drugs. 2023, 21(6): 353.
