a substance extracted from Irish moss , or jelly moss, was formerly used to treat diarrhoea, gastric ulcer and cystitis. It is now harvested for use of its gelatinous substance (carragenan) for curing leather, as suspending and emulsifying agent in pharmaceuticals, food products (e.g. for stabiliziation of foam and as a clarifying agent in beer and honey) and in cosmetics and in technical products such as shoe polish. A red algae yields the substance furcellaran which is important in jam making and another related substance is used as glue. Brown algae are the souce of fucoidan and laminarian which have medical use, as anti-coagulants, and of mannitol which is a valuable nutrient for diabetics. These algae also yield alganic acid, the salts of which (alginates) have a widespread use. Alginates is used in e.g. textile (fibres), cosmetic, pharmaceutical, paper and chemical (paints, films) industries.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
a substance extracted from Irish moss , or jelly moss, was formerly used to treat diarrhoea, gastric ulcer and cystitis. It is now harvested for use of its gelatinous substance (carragenan) for curing leather, as suspending and emulsifying agent in pharmaceuticals, food products (e.g. for stabiliziation of foam and as a clarifying agent in beer … <\/p>\n