Page 51 - Pharmacognosy 02-06203

Constituents:

Complex polysaccharide (Carrageenan, Carrageenin) and other constituents.

Carrageenan: (Chondrus extract, Irish moss extract)

It is the hydrocolloid obtained by extraction with water.
It is a mixture of sulphated polysaccharides in the form of copolymers as:
к - carrageenan, ί - carrageenan, and λ- carrageenan.

Action and Uses:

1. Chondrus and carrageenan are used in pharmaceutical manufacturing and food industry as
emulsifying agents for cod-liver oil and other oils, suspending and gelling agent stabilizing
agent and viscosity builder in foods and non-foods, and as a binder in toothpastes.

2. Included as a bulk laxative in several preparations for the treatment of constipation.
3. As a demulcent (included in topical preparations for symptomatic relief of anorectal disorders

and in pulmonary complaints).
N. B. Food Advisory Committee (FAC) in Britain advised that infants’ food should be free of
Carraggeenan.
N. B. Carrageenan is used to induce experimental edema in laboratory animals.

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