Applications of Sodium Alginate in Science

Sodium alginate (SA) is well-explored multifunctional aquatic biopolymer extracted from brown algae. Owing to its matchless physiochemical heterogeneity and effective biodegradability, it can act as emulsifier, thickener, stabilizer, gel former, encapsulating agent in multitude of scientific applications. The chemical stability and mechanical strength of SA and its composites mainly depends upon molecular weight of its carbon based cross-linked backbone chain. Due to its natural abundance, lower price, ease of extraction, biocompatibility, nontoxicity, multifunctionality, sol/gel transitions and high mechanical strength, SA finds numerous applications in various industries including food, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, textiles, biomedical, agriculture and many others. This chapter discusses applications of SA and its derivatives depending upon its physiochemical properties in many fields of science.