4.7 Applications
85
2016) while methods of applying coatings could be dipping, spraying and vacuum
impregnation (Parreidt et al. 2018).
Alginate coatings can also improve the aesthetic appeal of the food by improving
gloss, reducing the chances of bruising by giving a more rigid surface and even hiding
surface imperfections. Aesthetics are important in reducing food wastage as some
foods are rejected simply due to their appearance whereas the food still has all its
nutrients, taste and texture intact. Therefore, improving the aesthetics will reduce the
chance of the food being rejected and left to spoil.
To enhance other properties such as antibacterial and antioxidant properties,
alginate-based edible films and coatings usually incorporate other compounds with
these desired properties. The incorporation of these compounds in the coating or
film has the advantage of not being included in the main food in case where for
example the direct contact with the food could initiate some undesirable interactions
which alters the food property or quality. Mechanical properties such as elasticity
and film-forming ability of alginate could be improved with the use of plasticizers
or forming composites with other compounds (Parriedt et al. 2018).
4.7.2 Textiles
Alginate serves as a more environmentally friendly printing substrate for laying
down color patterns on cotton, rayon and jute in the textiles industry, as it is a
more biodegradable option. Its viscous nature allows formation of printing pastes
of good consistency and being hydrophilic as well as its ability to form a paste at
relatively moderate water temperature. Sodium alginate is commonly used in printing
pastes as it prevents the otherwise hardening of the fabric once reacted with the dye.
When sodium alginate is used as a printing paste, a better fabric feel is achieved.
Sodium alginate also achieves good color yield and maintain stability. Application
of sodium alginate in textiles has been practiced for many decades (Rompp et al.
1983; Wang et al. 2014), and as demand grows for novel fabric technologies and
more biodegradable fabrics, alginate is likely to find increasing application in the
modern textile industry. Low to medium molecular weight sodium alginate is more
suitable for textile applications. Alginate printing pastes can be applied for screen
printing, roll printing and inkjet printing. In terms of printing paste, sodium alginate
has superior properties to other options such as starch.
4.7.3 Lowering Blood Sugar Level
Diabetes has become a medical condition of increasing significance with increasing
incidence annually across the globe. Use of alginate-based dietary supplements as
either a preventive or therapeutic measure further indicates high demand for alginatebased products in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industry.
85
2016) while methods of applying coatings could be dipping, spraying and vacuum
impregnation (Parreidt et al. 2018).
Alginate coatings can also improve the aesthetic appeal of the food by improving
gloss, reducing the chances of bruising by giving a more rigid surface and even hiding
surface imperfections. Aesthetics are important in reducing food wastage as some
foods are rejected simply due to their appearance whereas the food still has all its
nutrients, taste and texture intact. Therefore, improving the aesthetics will reduce the
chance of the food being rejected and left to spoil.
To enhance other properties such as antibacterial and antioxidant properties,
alginate-based edible films and coatings usually incorporate other compounds with
these desired properties. The incorporation of these compounds in the coating or
film has the advantage of not being included in the main food in case where for
example the direct contact with the food could initiate some undesirable interactions
which alters the food property or quality. Mechanical properties such as elasticity
and film-forming ability of alginate could be improved with the use of plasticizers
or forming composites with other compounds (Parriedt et al. 2018).
4.7.2 Textiles
Alginate serves as a more environmentally friendly printing substrate for laying
down color patterns on cotton, rayon and jute in the textiles industry, as it is a
more biodegradable option. Its viscous nature allows formation of printing pastes
of good consistency and being hydrophilic as well as its ability to form a paste at
relatively moderate water temperature. Sodium alginate is commonly used in printing
pastes as it prevents the otherwise hardening of the fabric once reacted with the dye.
When sodium alginate is used as a printing paste, a better fabric feel is achieved.
Sodium alginate also achieves good color yield and maintain stability. Application
of sodium alginate in textiles has been practiced for many decades (Rompp et al.
1983; Wang et al. 2014), and as demand grows for novel fabric technologies and
more biodegradable fabrics, alginate is likely to find increasing application in the
modern textile industry. Low to medium molecular weight sodium alginate is more
suitable for textile applications. Alginate printing pastes can be applied for screen
printing, roll printing and inkjet printing. In terms of printing paste, sodium alginate
has superior properties to other options such as starch.
4.7.3 Lowering Blood Sugar Level
Diabetes has become a medical condition of increasing significance with increasing
incidence annually across the globe. Use of alginate-based dietary supplements as
either a preventive or therapeutic measure further indicates high demand for alginatebased products in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industry.