Carrageenan

Carrageenan is a naturally occurring family of hydrophilic polysaccharides extracted from several related red seaweed species, widely used as a gelling agent for controlled drug release.
They are high molecular weight, highly sulfated, linear molecules with a galactose backbone. They are made up of sulfated and non-sulfated repeating units of galactose and 3,6-anhydrogalactose.
 
IFF's Gelcarin® and Viscarin® controlled-release polymers include three basic types of carrageenan – kappa, iota and lambda. They are differentiated from each other by the amount of 3,6-anhydrogalactose as well as the number and position of ester sulfate groups present. 
 
Available in several grades, Gelcarin® and Viscarin® help to achieve desired gelling, thickening and stabilizing properties in modified-release and suspension applications formulations – simply find the grade that’s best for you.