Hi all,

In light of the recent ergot type threads and the previous acetobacter threads I think we need to start looking at the generation of alginate. In light of this I am ( with vesps permission- cheers vesp) holding a competition.

I'm looking for a method for the production/ sourcing of sodium alginate or alginic acid.

The decision will be based on cost (lower is better), the level of detail provided, how OTC it is and finally how practical it is.


On offer is a new copy of March's Advanced Organic Chemistry 5th ed. in Hardback posted to the member that comes up with the best method by the 24th of this month.

References required

If its a tie ill ask the mods or admins to weigh in on a decision.

Ill take a convincing "this works I have researched it" ...

I probably missing something here, but I bought sodium alginate from a food ingredient wholesaler a few years ago for quite cheap.
Was trying to make yeast balls or something like that?/? Didnt research it much, just bought it.

Research I can do...
Sounds like fun.  Found a VERY early extraction method (attached as a pdf) for one variety but that variety seems to be particular to Europe and England especially.  Going to see what other plants are available - ideally a chinese market type product would be nice then anyone could find it.

salat

Alginate is itself OTC as a treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease. I think I just recently recommended it to some bluelighter who was having GERD problems. It's sold under the trade name "Gaviscon".

Pretty sure it all has preservatives in there, parabens, they are certainly present in the adult formula available in the UK, as I get that on prescription.

Blast what?

And yes, it is OTC, but since I get my prescriptions for free to disability benefits, my doc saves me money on the everyday stuff if I need any by writing me up for it.

A common soil baterium Azotobacter vinelandii can produce up to 27 g/l polysaccharide acids similiar to, and including primarily alginic acid.

A bit of into on The Production of Alginic Acid by Azotobacter vinelandii

Good point and I probably would if I were to need it - but I have a bit of an interest in deriving chemicals from nature so this is just some "for fun" research, I guess?

Also bear in mind that different molecular weight alginates can give different yields of target immobilised compounds (irrespective of substrate size, I.E for the same size and concentration of alginate and the same organism), alginate with different ratios of guluronic and mannonuric acid (sp?) within the alginate polymer chain can produce noticeably different yields with some organisms. It is a known fact for Clavicipitaceous fungi producing ergot alkaloids. It is not the order and quantity of individual G/M units, but rather the ratio and length of chains of G and M blocks, and combinations thereof, IIRC due to properties affecting cross-linking and thus gel-forming ion binding sites, stability/consistency of the gel, and possibly, it would surprise me not in the slightest, oxygen and nutrient transport