Alginate

Alginates are a group of complex polysaccharides extracted from brown algae. Because of their solubility, alginates have many practical, industrial, and culinary applications and are used extensively in the preparation of commercial food products and gastronomic specialties. The melting point of alginate gels lies just above the boiling point of water. Because alginate gels bind a great quantity of water, alginates are good thickeners and stabilizers. On the one hand, they are not readily broken down by acids, which gives them an advantage over other stabilizers, but on the other, their mouthfeel can be a little sticky.