9000-21-9

Basic information

• Product Name: Furcellaran
• Synonyms: Furcellaran;Furcelleran;Danish agar;Estagar;Furcellaria gum;Furtselleran;Gel Up J 1915
• CAS NO: 9000-21-9
• Molecular Formula: unspecified
• Molecular Weight: 0
• EINECS: 232-531-0
• Mol File: 9000-21-9.mol
• Article Data: 0

Chemical Properties

• Appearance: /
• CAS DataBase Reference: Furcellaran(CAS DataBase Reference)
• NIST Chemistry Reference: Furcellaran(9000-21-9)
• EPA Substance Registry System: Furcellaran(9000-21-9)

Safety Data

• Hazardous Substances Data: 9000-21-9(Hazardous Substances Data)

Usage

Description

Furcellaran, also known as Danish agar, is a hydrocolloid extracted from the red seaweed Furcellaria fastigiata. It is a brownish, tan, or white powder that is odorless and has a mucilaginous taste. Furcellaran is soluble in water at temperatures around 80°C, forming a viscous, clear, or slightly opalescent solution. It consists mainly of potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium, and ammonium sulfate esters of galactose and 3,6-anhydrogalactose copolymers, with an ester sulfate content ranging from 8% to 20%. The relative proportion of cations in Furcellaran may change during processing, and it is recovered by alcohol precipitation, potassium precipitation, or freezing.
Used in Food Industry:
Furcellaran is used as a natural colloid, gelling agent, and viscosity control agent in various food products. It is particularly used in milk puddings, flans, jelly, jam, and gelled meat products due to its thermoreversible gels that form after heating and cooling, exhibiting properties between agar and carrageenan.
Used in Pharmaceutical Industry:
Furcellaran is utilized as a gelling agent and viscosity control agent in pharmaceuticals, including products for diabetics and proprietary weight loss supplements.
Used in Oral Care Products:
In the oral care industry, Furcellaran serves as a gelling agent and viscosity control agent in toothpastes.
Used in Preservatives and Bactericides:
Furcellaran acts as a carrier for food preservatives and bactericides, enhancing their effectiveness in various applications.
Used in Bacteriological Culture Media:
Furcellaran is employed as a gelling agent in bacteriological culture media, providing a stable and suitable environment for bacterial growth.
Agricultural Uses:
Furcellaria fastigiata, the source of Furcellaran, is harvested in Denmark and is commonly referred to as Danish agar.

Safety Profile

Moderately toxic by ingestion, When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and fumes.