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Alginic acid (algine, alginate) is a viscous gum that is abundant in the cell walls of brown algae. more...

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Structure

Chemically, it is a linear copolymer with homopolymeric blocks of (1-4)-linked ß-D-mannuronate (M) and its C-5 epimer α-L-guluronate (G) residues, respectively, covalently linked together in different sequences or blocks.

The monomers can appear in homopolymeric blocks of consecutive G-residues (G-blocks), consecutive M-residues (M-blocks), alternating M and G-residues (MG-blocks) or randomly organized blocks. The relative amount of each block type varies both with the origin of the alginate. Alternating blocks form the most flexible chains and are more soluble at lower pH than the other blocks. G-blocks form stiff chain elements, and two G-blocks of more than 6 residues each form stable cross-linked junctions with divalent cations (e.g. Ca²⁺, Ba²⁺, Sr²⁺ among others) leading to a three-dimensional gel network. At low pH, protonized alginates will form acidic gels. In these gels, it is mostly the homopolymeric blocks that form the junctions, where the stability of the gel is determined by the relative content of G-blocks.

Forms

Commercial varieties of alginate are extracted from seaweed, including the giant kelp Macrocystis pyrifera, Ascophyllum Nodosum and various types of Laminaria.

Alginate absorbs water quickly, which makes it useful as an additive in dehydrated products such as slimming aids, and in the manufacture of paper and textiles. It is also used for waterproofing and fireproofing fabrics, for thickening drinks, ice cream and cosmetics, and as a detoxifier that can absorb poisonous metals from the blood. Alginate is also produced by certain bacteria, notably Azotobacter species. Attempts to produce bacterial alginate have not yet been commercially successful.

Alginate ranges from white to yellowish brown, and takes filamentous, grainy, granular, and powdered forms. It is insoluble in water and organic solvents, and dissolves slowly in basic solutions of sodium carbonate, sodium hydroxide and trisodium phosphate.

Uses

Purified forms of alginate are used in antacid preparations such as Gaviscon®, Bisodol®, Asilone®, and Boots Own® tablets. Alginate is used extensivly as a mold-making material in dentistry and prosthetics, and in textiles. It is also used in the food industry, for thickening soups and jellies. Calcium alginate is used in burn dressings that promote healing and can be removed painlessly.

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Fire down below
From Electrical Apparatus, 1/1/05 by Elsberry, Richard B

Avoid acid indigestion before it becomes a chronic disruption to job performance

AT ONE TIME OR ANOTHER, nearly everyone has experienced "heartburn," a burning sensation in the throat and chest that can incapacitate factory and office workers on the job, or interfere with their sleep to the degree that they cannot concentrate on job duties when they do report for work.

More often than not, "heartburn"which is sometimes confused with a far more dangerous heart attack-is caused by overindulging in spicy, fatty, or fried foods blended with alcoholic beverages, acidic tomato sauces, and bitter chocolate that results in an inferno of gastric juices rising from the stomach toward the back of your throat.

Smoking and stress are contributing causes. According to former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop, nicotine relaxes a muscle that allows gastric juice to escape from the stomach into the esophagus.

While "heartburn" used to be considered a periodic symptom resulting from overdoing Tex-Mex cuisine, peppery sauces, deep fried foods, bedtime snacks, citrus juices, carbonated beverages, and garlicky sauces, it has morphed into a major national health problem involving bloating, frequent burping, and painful burning sensations arising from behind the breast bone. The resulting bitter taste of regurgitated acid is now labeled by most health organizations as GERD, an acronym for gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Depending on which health organization you consult, approximately 25 million Americans experience an attack of GERD daily, and upwards of 60 million have at least one GERD attack a month. The National Institutes of Health puts the number of recurring GERD sufferers at 35 million adults a month but says an additional 15 million experience chronic heartburn on a daily basis.

Frequent bouts of GERD can damage the esophagus-the nine-to-teninch long food tube that begins below the tongue and ends at the stomachand left untreated can lead to a precancerous condition. Unlike the stomach, which has a special lining that defends against the gastric acids that break down starch, fat, and protein, the esophagus provides only weak protection against regurgitated stomach acids.

Over half of GERD sufferers develop abnormal nerve and muscle function in the stomach, which causes impaired mobility, an inability of the muscles to contract normally that causes delays in stomach emptying and leads to increasing risk of acid back-up.

About half of asthmatic patients also have GERD, and some physicians speculate that asthmatic coughing and sneezing attacks cause changes in pressure in the chest that can trigger reflux.

Research has also revealed that persons who use nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAID's, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen) were twice as likely to have GERD symptoms as nonusers. Calcium channel blockers and anti-osteoporosis drugs such as Fosamax can slow stomach emptying and cause damage to the esophagus.

While some over-the-counter antiacid medications (such as Gaviscon, Maalox, or Mylanta) or acid blockers (Pepcid AC, Tagamet HB, Zantac 75) can provide temporary relief, prescription proton pump inhibitors (such as Nexium and Prevacid) are the most potent medications available. If your GERD symptoms include hoarseness, difficulty in swallowing, or vomiting, however, you should see a physician as soon as possible.

For most GERD sufferers, the secret to managing or eliminating heartburn is in lifestyle and dietary changes. Your primary care physician, however, may recommend you also see a gastroenterologist.

For more information:

* The American Gastroenterological Association: www.gastro .org.

The National Heartburn Alliance: www .heartburnalliance. org.

* International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders: www.aboutgerd.org.

* American College of Gastroenterology: www.acg.gi.org.

* The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse: (301) 654-3810.

* The Consumer hotline of the National Center for Nutrition & Dietetics: (800)-366-1655.

By Richard B. Elsberry, EA Contributing Editor

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