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==Image source problem with Image:CRIM0012.jpg==
{{Otheruses4|algal polysaccharides|the personal lubricant brand '''Carrageenan'''|Oceanus carrageenan}}
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'''Carrageenans''' or '''carrageenins''' ([[International Phonetic Alphabet|pronounced]] {{IPA|[ˌkærəˈgiːnəns]}}) are a family of linear sulphated [[polysaccharide]]s extracted from red [[seaweed]]s. The name is derived from a type of seaweed that is abundant along the [[Ireland|Irish]] coastline near the village of [[Carragheen]]. Gelatinous extracts of carrageen seaweed (also known as [[Irish moss]]) have been used as food additives for hundreds of years.<ref>[http://www.fao.org/docrep/field/003/AB730E/AB730E03.htm FAO Agar and Carrageenan Manual]</ref>
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===Uses===
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Carrageenans are large, highly flexible molecules which curl forming [[helix|helical]] structures. This gives them the ability to form a variety of different [[gel]]s at room temperature. They are widely used in the food and other industries as [[Thickening agent|thickening]] and [[stabilizing agent]]s. A particular advantage is that they are [[Non-Newtonian fluid|thixotropic]] — they thin under [[shear stress]] and recover their [[viscosity]] once the stress is removed. This means that they are easy to pump but stiffen again afterwards.
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For example, they can be used in:
* [[Dessert]]s, [[ice cream]], milk shakes, [[sauce]]s — gel to increase viscosity, [[PayDay]] bars contain carrageenans.<!-- are they unusual in this respect? -->
* [[Beer]] — clarifier to remove haze-causing proteins
* [[Pâté]]s and processed [[meat]] — Substitute fat to increase water retention and increase volume
* [[Toothpaste]] — stabilizer to prevent constituents separating
* Fire fighting foam — thickener to cause foam to become sticky
* [[Shampoo]] and cosmetic creams — thickener
* Air freshener gels
* Shoe polish — gel to increase [[viscosity]]
* [[Biotechnology]] — gel to immobilize cells/enzymes
* [[Personal lubricant]]s — laboratory studies suggest that carrageenans might function as [[topical microbicide]]s, blocking [[Sexually transmitted disease|sexually-transmitted viruses]] such as [[HIV]], [[Human papillomavirus|HPV]] and [[Herpes simplex virus|herpes]]<ref>[http://www.populationcouncil.org/microbicides/index.html Carraguard]</ref><ref>[http://pathogens.plosjournals.org/perlserv/?request=get-document&doi=10.1371/journal.ppat.0020069 Carrageenan is a potent inhibitor of papillomavirus infection], Buck, et al. PLoS Pathog. 2006 Jul;2(7):e69</ref>
Lambda carrageenan is used in animal models of inflammation used to test analgesics, because dilute carrageenan solution (1-2%) injected subcutaneously causes swelling and pain.
There are three main commercial classes of carrageenan:
* Kappa — strong, rigid gels. Produced from ''Kappaphycus cottonii''
* Iota — soft gels. Produced from ''Eucheuma spinosum''
* Lambda — form gels when mixed with [[protein]]s rather than water, used to thicken dairy products. The most common source is ''Gigartina'' from Southern Europe.
It is interesting to note, however, that a lot of red algal species produce different types of carrageenans during their developmental history. For instance, the genera ''Gigartina'' produces mainly Kappa carrageenans during its [[gametophytic]] stage, and Lambda carrageenans during its [[sporophytic]] stage.
*''See also:'' [[Alternation of generations]]
All are soluble in hot water, but in cold water only the Lambda form (and the sodium salts of the other two) are soluble.
When used in food products, carrageenan has the [[European Union|EU]] additive [[E-numbers|E-number]] E407. Although introduced on an industrial scale in the 1930s, the first use was in [[China]] around 600 BC (where ''Gigartina'' was used) and in [[Ireland]] around 400 AD.
The largest producer is the [[Philippines]], where cultivated seaweed produces about 80% of the world supply. The most commonly used are Cottonii (''Kappaphycus alvarezii, K.striatum'') and Spinosum (''Eucheuma denticulatum''), which together provide about three quarters of the World production. These grow at sea level down to about 2 metres. The seaweed is normally grown on nylon lines strung between bamboo floats and harvested after three months or so when each plant weighs around 1 kg.
The Cottonii variety has been reclassified as ''Kappaphycus cottonii'' by Maxwell Doty (1988), thereby introducing the genus ''Kappaphycus'', on the basis of the phycocolloids produced (namely kappa carrageenan).
After harvest, the seaweed is dried, baled, and sent to the carrageenan manufacturer. There the seaweed is ground, sifted to remove impurities such as [[sand]], and washed thoroughly. Next, the [[cellulose]] is removed from the carrageenan by [[centrifugation]] and [[filtration]]. The resulting carrageenan solution is then concentrated by [[evaporation]]. It is dried and ground to specification.
===Health concerns===
There is evidence from studies performed on [[rat]]s, [[guinea pig]]s and [[monkey]]s which indicates that degraded carrageenan (poligeenan) may cause ulcerations in the gastro-intestinal tract and [[gastro-intestinal tract|gastro-intestinal]] [[Cancer (medicine)|cancer]].<ref>[http://www.ehponline.org/members/2001/109p983-994tobacman/tobacman-full.html Review of harmful gastrointestinal effects of carrageenan in animal experiments] J. K. Tobacman. Environ Health Perspect. (2001) 109(10):983</ref> Poligeenan is produced from carrageenan subjected to high [[temperature]]s and [[acid]]ity. The average carrageenan molecule weighs over 100,000 [[Dalton (unit)|Da]] while poligeenans have a [[molecular weight]] of less than 50,000 [[Dalton (unit)|Da]]. A scientific [[committee]] working on behalf of the [[European Commission]] has recommended that the amount of degraded carrageenan be limited to a maximum of 5% (which is the limit of detection) of total carrageenan mass. Upon testing samples of foods containing high molecular weight carrageens, researchers found no poligeenan. [http://www.cybercolloids.net/news/EU-carrageenan-opinion.pdf]
===Trivia===
* Carrageenan has also been used to thicken skim milk, in an attempt to emulate the consistency of whole milk. This usage did not become popular. It was also used in diet colas.
===See also===
* [[Agar]]
* [[List of food additives]]
===References===
<references />
{{wiktionarypar|carrageenan}}
[[Category:Edible thickening agents]]
[[Category:Polysaccharides]]
[[Category:Food additives]]
[[Category:IARC Group 2B carcinogens]]
[[de:Carrageen]]
[[it:Carragenina]]
[[ja:カラギーナン]]
[[zh:卡拉胶]]
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