Carrageenan is a kind of natural polysaccharide hydrophilic gum extracted from the sea plant red seaweed.It is usually in the form of white or bit yellow powder,free of smell or taste.Carrageenan gel is heat reversible.Carrageenan can melt into solution after being heated and the solution can coagulate into gel after being cooled.Carrageenan has good water-solubility.It begins to melt at 70℃ and completely melts at 80℃.It also has good stability,long term placement may not reduce the intensity and viscosity.It does not hydrolyze in neutral and alkaline solution,even being heated.When used in combination with konjac gum,locust bean gum and xanthan gum,it can functions as strong coordinator and reinforcer,distinctly altering the gel characteristics and making the gel elastic and water keeping.

Carrageenan is extensively applied in food, medicine, chemical industry for daily supplier, biological chemistry, building paints, textile printing and agriculture.