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Utilization of Seaweed Content in Various Industries

Photo: Biopac

Indonesia, an archipelago nation, is predominantly composed of oceans. One of its greatest natural resources is seaweed. Seaweed is a renewable maritime resource, which, in addition to its strategic role in maintaining ocean acidity and productivity, improves the well-being of coastal communities. The following are the common components of seaweed used in different industries:

Agar

Agar is derived from seaweed of the Rhodophyceae class. It is widely used as an emulsifier and stabilizer for food and beverage products, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, animal feed, ceramics, paint, textiles, and paper to form gel or film layers.

Phycocolloids

Phycocolloids are polysaccharides extracted from seaweed species of red algae. Phycocolloids can also be formed into gels for use as thickeners and stabilizers, especially in the food industry, such as milk, bread, cakes, jams, and fish canning. In the pharmaceutical industry, they are used in ointments and tablets.

Carrageenan

Carrageenan is often used in the pharmaceutical industry as an emulsifier for cod liver oil, a granulating solution, and a binder for tablets and syrups. Additionally, it is used in the cosmetics industry as a stabilizer, suspension agent, and solvent for ointments, lotions, toothpaste, hair tonic, and soap.

The content within seaweed serves as a unifying raw material. Biopac leverages the potential of seaweed in creating plastic substitute packaging, uniting public support for environmental sustainability.

Source: Suparmi, S., & Sahri, A. (2009). Recognizing the potential of seaweed: a study on the utilization of seaweed resources from an industrial and health perspective. Sultan Agung Scientific Journal, 44(118), 95-116.

 

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