algin

n.
Any of several derivatives, such as sodium alginate or alginic acid, of a gelatinous substance extracted from certain brown algae and widely used as a thickening, stabilizing, emulsifying, or suspending agent in industrial, pharmaceutical, and food products, such as ice cream.

[ALG(A) + -IN.]

Variant: alginic acid

A complex polysaccharide occurring in the cell walls of the brown algae (Phaeophyta). Algin strongly absorbs water to form a viscous gel. It is produced commercially from a variety of species of Laminaria and from Macrocystis pyrifera in the form of alginates, which are used mainly as a stabilizer and texturing agent in the food industry.

---

Note: click on a word meaning below to see its connections and related words.

The noun has one meaning:

Meaning #1: a gum used especially as a thickener or emulsifier
  Synonym: alginic acid

---