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Updated: Aug 15, 2026

Generation of Alginate Microspheres for Biomedical Applications
Published on: August 12, 2012
Alginate as a source of dietary fiber
I A Brownlee1, A Allen, J P Pearson
1Cell & Molecular Biosciences, University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK. i.a.brownlee@ncl.ac.uk
Abstract:
Alginate, an algal polysaccharide, is widely used in the food industry as a stabilizer, or as a thickening or emulsifying agent. As an indigestible polysaccharide, alginate may also be viewed as a source of dietary fiber. Previous work has suggested that dietary fibres may protect against the onset and continuation of a number of cardiovascular and gastrointestinal diseases. This article aims to examine what is currently understood about the fiber-like activities of alginate, particularly its effects on intestinal absorption and the colon, and therefore aims to gauge the potential use of alginate as a dietary supplement for the maintenance of normal health, or the alleviation of certain cardiovascular or gastrointestinal diseases.
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