Description

Sodium alginate (Alg) is a natural polysaccharide extracted from brown algae, composed of β‑D‑mannuronic acid (M) and α‑L‑guluronic acid (G) arranged as a linear, randomly distributed block copolymer. When exposed to divalent cations such as calcium, copper, or zinc (excluding magnesium), the Na⁺ ions in the G‑blocks are replaced by these metal ions, enabling multiple G units to crosslink through the classic “egg‑box” model. This process allows alginate solutions to rapidly form hydrogels under mild, cell‑friendly conditions.

In the human body, sodium alginate is stable and structurally similar to components of the extracellular matrix. It is biocompatible, biodegradable, and breaks down into non‑toxic polysaccharides that do not participate in metabolic pathways. Beyond its physical properties, alginate also exhibits biological activities such as anti‑tumor, antioxidant, and antimicrobial effects. These characteristics make sodium alginate highly valuable in drug delivery, tissue‑engineering scaffolds, cell microencapsulation, and immunoisolation technologies.

Product Information

Product Name: Sodium Alginate 

CAS Number: 9005‑38‑3 

Chemical Formula: (C₆H₉O₇Na)ₙ 

Molecular Weight: 216.12 (monomer unit) 

Storage Conditions: Store in a cool, dry place with the container tightly sealed.

Product Applications

• Wound Healing and Tissue Repair: Sodium alginate possesses excellent absorbency, biocompatibility, hydrophilicity, and moisture‑retention properties. It can absorb wound exudates, maintain a moist healing environment, and prevent secondary damage. These features contribute to its antibacterial effect, hemostatic performance, and ability to accelerate wound closure, making alginate a widely used material in wound dressings and regenerative therapies.
• Controlled Drug Release: Calcium‑crosslinked alginate hydrogels exhibit pH‑responsive behavior. In acidic environments, the Ca²⁺–alginate network becomes more tightly crosslinked, leading to slow, diffusion‑controlled drug release. In alkaline conditions, the crosslinks dissociate, accelerating drug release. This tunable release profile makes alginate an effective carrier for sustained‑release formulations, particularly for acid‑sensitive therapeutics.
• Tissue Engineering and Cell Encapsulation: Alginate hydrogels provide a soft, three‑dimensional microenvironment that supports cell viability and proliferation. Their smooth surface and well‑defined geometry help minimize secondary injury during implantation. As a result, alginate‑based scaffolds are widely applied in cartilage, bone, and skin tissue repair, as well as in cell microencapsulation and immunoisolation technologies.

Biomedical Research and Development Raw Materials

• Poly(lactic‑co‑glycolic acid) (PLGA)
• Polycaprolactone (PCL)
• Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) | 9004‑32‑4
• Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) | 9002‑89‑5
• Gelatin | 9000‑70‑8
• Sodium Hyaluronate (HA) | 9067‑32‑7
• Sodium Alginate (Alg) | 9005-38-3
• F127 (Poloxamer 407) | 9003‑11‑6 

Only for research and not intended for treatment of humans or animals

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