Page 94 - Pharmacognosy-II (06-PG 303)

Brown Algae

Brown algae are the largest, most complex type of marine algae and get their name
from their pigment called fucoxanthin.
Types of brown algae are:
kelp (The largest and one of the most well-known)
Fucus commonly known as "rock weed," or "wracks," (air bladders which help the algae
to float toward the ocean surface, allowing for maximum sunlight absorption).
Sargassum (stationary structure such as a rock or shell holdfast). It is used as food.
Sarganine is an antibacterial and antifungal extract.
***All brown algae contain alginic acid (alginate) in their cell walls, (which is
extracted commercially). This mucilaginous non sulphate polysaccharide is a major
component of brown algae, and is not found in land plants.
N.B. *Alginic acid and its sodium salt used in pharmaceutical preparations as a
disintegrating agent in tablet and binder, suspending, emulsifying, gelling, and
stabilizing agent.
*Alginic acid create a foam barrier for coating the stomach. The combination of alginic
acid, aluminum hydroxide, and magnesium carbonate is used to treat symptoms of
stomach ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or acid indigestion (Gaviscon
liquid).
Albinism acid
*Alginate salt is used in Dental Impression Molds, Chelator to remove heavy metals from
blood and ca alginate used as an absorbable haemostatic agentin dressings to pack
bleeding wounds and burns.

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