Phycocolloid

Name:
Phycocolloid
Detailed information:
One of several carbohydrate polymers (polysaccharides) occurring in algae (seaweed). They are hydrophilic colloids having a tendency to absorb water, with swelling, and to form gels of varying strength and consistency. The chief types of phycocolloid are carrageenan from Irish moss, algin from brown algae, and agar from red algae. They contain complex galactose and mannose sugars and are sometimes considered seaweed mucilages.