Product Details
Category
Emulsifying Agents; Stabilizing Agents; Tablet Dsintegrant; ThickeningAgents
Molecular Formula
[(C6H7O6)2Ca]n
Molecular Weight
195.16 (calculated); 219.00 (actual, average)
Grade
Pharmceutical Excipients
Description
Calcium alginate is an odorless or almost odorless, tasteless, white to pale yellowish-brown powder or fibers.
Chemical Name
Calcium alginate
Synonyms
Alginato calcico; alginic acid, calcium salt; algin; CA33; calc algin; calcium polymannuronate; Calginate; E404; Kaltostat
Administration route
Oral
Stability and Storage Conditions
Calcium alginate can be sterilized by autoclaving at 115℃ for 30 minutes or by dry heat at 150℃ for 1 hour. Calcium alginate should be stored in airtight containers.
Source and Preparation
Calcium alginate can be obtained from seaweed, mainly species of Laminaria. Solutions of sodium alginate interact with an ionized calcium salt, resulting in the instantaneous precipitation of insoluble calcium alginate, which can then be further processed. Introducing varying proportions of sodium ions during manufacture can produce products having different absorption rates.
Applications
In pharmaceutical formulations, calcium alginate and calciumsodium alginate have been used as tablet disintegrants. The use of a high concentration (10%) of calcium-sodium alginate has been reported to cause slight speckling of tablets.A range of different types of delivery systems intended for oral administration have been investigated.
Safety
Calcium alginate is widely used in oral and topical formulations, and in foods. LD50 (rat, IP): 1.41 g/kg LD50 (rat, IV): 0.06 g/kg
Incompatibilities
Calcium alginate is incompatible with alkalis and alkali salts.Propranolol hydrochloride has been shown to bind to alginate molecules, suggesting that propranolol and calcium ions share common binding sites in the alginate chains; the formation of the calcium alginate gel structure was impeded in the presence of propranolol molecules.