Ques.4. Discuss the economic importance of Carrageenin
Ans. It is a complex of D-galactose-3, 6-anhydro D-galactose and monoesterified sulphuric acid found in the cell wall of red algae, Chondrus crispus. It is used in the preparation of tooth-pastes, cosmetics, paints, and in leather finishing, textile, brewing and pharmaceutical industries. Physicians also use carrageenin as a blood coagulant. It is also used as a clearing agent juices, liquors, beet sugar, etc. Rarely, Gigortina is also used for the extraction of carrageenin.