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Calcium alginate is a naturally derived polymer extracted from brown algae, particularly kelp, and is available as a calcium salt of alginic acid. This biopolymer has versatile applications due to its ability to form gels, its biocompatibility, and its solubility properties. It is widely recognized for its significant benefits in medical, nutritional, and industrial formulations.
| Items | Common grade | Electrode grade |
| Appearance | White to light yellow powder | |
| Content | 89.6～104.5% | 89.6～104.5% |
| Grain size | as the customer required | 200 mesh |
| Viscosity | as the customer required | as the customer required |
| Moisture | ≤ 14% | ≤ 14% |
| pH | 6.0～9.5 | 6.8～8.0 |
| Ash content | 10.0～25.0% | 10.0～18% |
| Heavy metals | ≤ 40ppm | ≤ 40ppm |
| Lead | ≤ 5ppm | ≤ 10ppm |
| Arsenic | ≤ 2ppm | ≤ 2ppm |
Due to its natural origin, non-toxic nature, and ability to interact with biological systems, calcium alginate has become indispensable in the following fields:
Alfa Chemistry's calcium alginate is a versatile, high-quality product that serves a wide range of industries, from pharmaceuticals to food processing, thanks to its gel-forming properties, biocompatibility, and natural origin. For more information, please feel free to contact us.
Patel, Nachiket, et al. Progress in biomaterials 5.2 (2016): 117-133.
Calcium alginate beads serve as a biodegradable, pH-sensitive multiparticulate delivery system for the oral administration of ceftriaxone sodium (CS), a highly water-soluble and acid-labile antibiotic. Formed via ionotropic gelation of sodium alginate with calcium chloride, the crosslinked hydrogel matrix protects the drug from gastric degradation and enables sustained intestinal release. Incorporation of secondary polymers and enteric coating further modulates release kinetics and enhances entrapment efficiency.
Bead Preparation and Optimization: CS-loaded beads were prepared by extruding sodium alginate solutions (with or without sodium carboxymethylcellulose, acacia, or HPMC) into aqueous CaCl2 solution. Beads were cured, dried, and subsequently coated with cellulose acetate phthalate (CAP) for enteric protection.
Physicochemical Characterization: Optimal formulation F9 (sodium alginate/CMC/CAP) achieved 75 ± 5% drug entrapment efficiency, with particle size of 1.59 ± 0.15 mm. TGA revealed enhanced thermal stability for alginate-CMC beads, with reduced weight loss at elevated temperatures. AFM and SEM showed rough, porous surfaces for uncoated beads, while CAP coating produced smoother surfaces with reduced roughness. Swelling indices ranged from 0.9 to 3.4 in SGF (pH 1.2).
Release Performance: In vitro release studies demonstrated that CAP-coated beads released 35–47% of CS in SGF over 2 h, with sustained release in SIF (pH 6.8) for up to 18 h. Release kinetics followed first-order models via non-Fickian diffusion and erosion mechanisms, with n values of 0.15–0.46 indicating anomalous transport.
Wang, Tao, et al. International journal of clinical and experimental pathology 8.6 (2015): 6636.
Calcium alginate serves as a biocompatible, hydrophilic wound dressing material that promotes diabetic wound healing by modulating extracellular matrix remodeling. Derived from brown seaweed, calcium alginate forms a moist gel upon contact with wound exudate, providing an optimal healing environment while exhibiting excellent cytocompatibility and low inflammatory response.
Wound Healing Model: Full-thickness excisional wounds (20 × 20 mm) were created on the dorsum of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Calcium alginate dressings were applied daily, with Vaseline-treated wounds serving as controls. Wound tissues were collected at days 3, 7, and 14 for histological analysis, collagen quantification by Western blot, and hydroxyproline measurement by ELISA.
Performance Evaluation: Calcium alginate exhibited no cytotoxicity to L929 fibroblasts, with cell viability comparable to controls at 48 h. Wound closure rate in the alginate-treated group was significantly faster from day 4 onward, with 33% of wounds fully healed by day 14 compared to 0% in controls. Histological analysis revealed milder inflammation and enhanced re-epithelialization in alginate-treated wounds. Collagen I expression increased significantly in the alginate group at days 3 (0.66 vs. 0.42), 7 (0.84 vs. 0.62), and 14 (1.09 vs. 0.78), while collagen III expression remained unchanged. The collagen I/III ratio was significantly elevated at days 7 (1.07 vs. 0.77) and 14 (1.18 vs. 0.83). Hydroxyproline levels, indicative of total collagen synthesis, were consistently higher in alginate-treated wounds across all time points.
Zhang, Jianjun, et al. Polymer degradation and stability 96.5 (2011): 936-942.
Calcium alginate fiber, prepared via wet spinning from sodium alginate coagulated in calcium chloride, exhibits exceptional intrinsic flame retardancy compared to conventional viscose fiber. Its flame-retardant mechanism operates primarily in the condensed phase, where the fiber forms a thick, cohesive char layer that acts as an insulating barrier, significantly reducing heat release, smoke production, and combustible volatile generation.
Fiber Preparation: Calcium alginate fibers were spun by extruding sodium alginate solution into a calcium chloride coagulating bath, followed by washing, stretching, and drying.
Flame Retardancy Performance: Calcium alginate fiber exhibited an LOI of 48.0, compared to 20.0 for viscose, indicating outstanding flame resistance. Cone calorimetry revealed peak heat release rate (pHRR) decreased from 168.75 kW·m-2 (viscose) to 4.99 kW·m-2, while total heat release (THR) and total smoke production (TSR) were substantially reduced. Residue at 360 s was 32.3% for calcium alginate versus 10.3% for viscose. SEM showed calcium alginate formed a dense, continuous char crust, whereas viscose produced a fragmented, porous residue. TGA demonstrated that calcium alginate retained significant residue (primarily calcium carbonate) up to 1000 °C. Py–GC–MS identified CO2 as the dominant pyrolysis product; the fiber produced fewer combustible volatiles than viscose.
