1. Sodium Alginate and Agar
Pharmaceutical Aids
Sodium Alginate and Agar
PH103.65

2. Department of Technical Education Andhra Pradesh
Name : BVSN Murty
Designation : Lecturer in Pharmacy
Branch : PHARMACY
Institute : Govt.,Polytechnic for Women, Srikakulam
Year/Semester : I Year
Subject : Pharmacognosy
Subject code : PH103
Topic : Pharmaceutical Aids
Duration : 50 mts
Sub topic : Sodium Alginate and Agar
Teaching aids : PPT, Photographs
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ER-91/PH-103/1 of 5

3. Recap In the last class we learnt about : The monographs Acacia
Tragacanth
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4. Objectives
On completion of this class you would be able to know about :
The monographs of Sodium alginate and Agar
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5. Sodium Alginate Synonyms : Algin, Sodium polymannuronate
Biological source : It is the sodium salt of Alginic acid
obtained from the Algal species of
Macrocystic pyrifera
Laminaria hyperborea
Laminaria digitata
Ascophyllum nodosum
Family : Phaeophyceae
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6. Sodium Alginate Geographical Source : USA Japan Canada India Australia
Scotland
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7. Sodium Alginate Description : Color : White to buff colored powder
Odour : Odourless
Taste : Tasteless
Solubility :
Soluble in water
Insoluble in alcohol, Ether,
Chloroform and strong acids
Fig.65.1 Sodium alginate
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8. Sodium Alginate Identification test :
Aqueous solution of drug + CaCl Copious precipitate
1% solution in water + Dil.H2SO Heavy gelatinous
precipitate
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9. Sodium Alginate
Uses :
Preparation of Pastes, Creams, Emulsions Suspensions, jellies, ice-creams
Also used in Textile industry
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10. Agar Synonyms : Agar-agar, Japanese-isinglass Biological Source :
It is dried gelatinous substance
obtained from
Gelidium amansii
and other species of red algae like
Gracilaria and Pterocladia
Family : Gelidiaceae
Order : Rhodophyceae
Fig.65.2 Agar
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11. Agar Geographical Source : Japan Australia New Zealand USA India

12. Agar Description: Color : Yellowish grey or white Odour : Odourless
Taste : Mucilaginous
Size : Sheets are 45 to 60 cm
long 10 to 15 cm wide
Shape : Strips, sheets, flakes or
coarse powder
Fig.65.3 Agar
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13. AGAR Standards: Water soluble ash : Not more than 1%
Sulphated ash : Not more than 5%
Foreign organic matter : Not more than 18%
Starch : Negative with Iodine solution
Solubility : In soluble in cold water, Organic solvents
Soluble in boiling water
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14. Agar Chemical constituents: It is a complex heterosaccharide
Mainly Agarose and Agaropectin
Agarose is for gel strength
Agaropectin is responsible for viscosity
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15. Agar Identification tests : • 5 gm agar + 100 ml water Stiff jelly
• Agar with Ruthenium red gives Pink color
• 2% agar solution + Tannic acid > no ppt
Boil
Cool
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16. Agar Uses : Emulsifying agent and Bulk laxative
Preparation of jellies and biological culture medium
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17. Summary In this class we learnt about :
It is the sodium salt of Alginic acid obtained from the Algal species of Ascophyllum nodosum
It is used as a good suspending and thickening agent, binding and disintegrating agent.
Agar is dried gelatinous substance obtained from Gelidium amansii and other species of red algae like Gracilaria and Pterocladia
It is used as Emulsifying agent and bulk laxative, biological culture medium
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18. Quiz Sodium alginate is obtained from Algae Fungi Bacteria
None of the above
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19. Quiz 2. Sodium alginate belongs to Phaeophyceae Apidae Bovidae
Graminae
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20. Quiz 3. Agar obtained from Gelidium amansii Arachis hypogea
Arachis arabica
Apis dorsata
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21. Quiz 4. Agar belongs to family Rhodophyceae Apidae Solanaceae Graminae

22. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WRITE THE USES AND CONSTITUENTS OF AGAR
WRITE THE MONOGRAPH OF SODIUM ALGINATE AND AGAR
WHAT ARE PHARMACEUTICAL AIDS. GIVE EXAMPLES
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23. Frequently Asked Questions
Write the uses and constituents of agar.
Write the monograph of sodium alginate and agar.
What are pharmaceutical aids? Give examples
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