alginic acid

[ al-jin-ik ]
/ ælˈdʒɪn ɪk /

noun Chemistry.

an insoluble, colloidal acid, (C6H8O6)n, found in the cell walls of various kelps, especially brown kelps, known chiefly in the form of its salts, and used as a thickening or stabilizing agent in foodstuffs, especially ice cream, and for sizing paper.

Origin of alginic acid

First recorded in 1885–90; algin + -ic

Words nearby alginic acid

British Dictionary definitions for alginic acid

alginic acid
/ (ælˈdʒɪnɪk) /

noun

a white or yellowish powdery polysaccharide having marked hydrophilic properties. Extracted from kelp, it is used mainly in the food and textile industries and in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Formula: (C 6 H 8 O 6) n; molecular wt: 32 000–250 000