(algin (alginic acid

A complex poly­saccharide occurring in the cell walls of the brown algae (Phaeophyta). Algin strongly absorbs water to form a viscous gel. It is produced commer­cially from a variety of species of Laminaria and from Macrocystis pyrifera in the form of alginates, which are used mainly as a stabilizer and tex­turing agent in the food industry.