Applications

Agar Agar

Agar-Agar has a significant role in the pharmaceutical industry as an agent for gelation, stabilization, and thickening. Due to these properties, it finds uses in pharmaceuticals to treat various health issues. Some of the prominent uses are :

• Agar as a surgical lubricant

The gelation property makes Agar a good choice as surgical lubricant. The surgeons also use it to reduce discomfort to the patient undergoing surgery.

• Agar as purgative agent

The purgative use of Agar is because it provides a smooth, non-irritant bulk in the gut and stimulates bowel movement.

• Agar for weight loss

As Agar forms a thick bulk in the digestive tract, it makes the tummy full. This results in reduction of unwanted snacking which in turn aids weight loss.

• Agar-based materials to treat tumors

Researchers have developed an injectable hydrogel from Agar. It is now being used in chemo and photo thermal therapies to treat tumors.

Sodium Alginate

Sodium Alginate is known for its biocompatibility, low toxicity, relatively low cost, and mild gelation properties. It is one of the most used substances in the food, pharmaceutical, and textile industry.

Owing to the exclusive physicochemical properties and biocompatibility, Sodium Alginate is widely used in the pharmaceutical preparation field as:

• Thickening agent
• Suspending agent
• Disintegrating agent
• Microencapsulated materials
• Cold-resistant agent for cells

It is also known to lower blood sugar, and work as an antioxidant and increase immunological competence.

In recent years, there has been extensive research to use Sodium Alginate in new pharmaceutical dosage form, as a kind of bioadhesive polymer and PH sensitivity of the gel material.