algin

[ al-jin ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. any hydrophilic, colloidal substance found in or obtained from various kelps, as alginic acid or one of its soluble salts.

algin

/ ˈældʒɪn /

noun

1. alginic acid or one of its esters or salts, esp the gelatinous solution obtained as a by-product in the extraction of iodine from seaweed, used in mucilages and for thickening jellies

algin

/ ăl′jĭn /

1. A mucilaginous polysaccharide occurring in the cell walls of brown algae. Its derivatives are widely used as thickening, stabilizing, emulsifying, or suspending agents in industrial, pharmaceutical, and food products, such as ice cream.

Word History and Origins

Origin of algin¹

First recorded in 1880–85; alg(ae) + -in ²

Example Sentences

The algin extracted from the Pacific kelp can be used as a rubber surrogate for water-proofing cloth.

From Project Gutenberg