Abstract

HERNANDEZ-CARMONA, G. et al. Technological Advance for Alginate Production in Mexico. Ing. invest. y tecnol. [online]. 2012, vol.13, n.2, pp.155-168. ISSN 2594-0732.

Alginates are polysaccharides extracted from brown seaweeds. They are used in food industry, pharmaceutical, textile, among other, because of their properties to give high viscous solution and gel forming. This review describes the optimized process at pilot plant level for alginate production. The process includes washing the algae with HCl at pH 4, extraction of the alginate in Na₂CO₃ solution at pH 10 and heating to 80°C, dilution of the paste and filtration with a vacuum rotary filter. Alginate precipitation is carried out by adding CaCl₂ filtration. The fibers obtained are treated with HCl to obtain alginic acid. The product is neutralized with Na₂CO₃ to obtain sodium alginate. The product is dried with hot air, milled, and screened at different mesh sizes. We described the different products obtained and their physical and chemical properties. Finally, costs and barriers found that limit the alginate production at commercial level in Mexico are discussed, including the lack of the industrial design, the international cost of the alginates, the policy to give the seaweeds beds concessions, and the role of the investors.

Keywords : algae; alginates; costs; polysaccharides; production.

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