The food stabilizer carrageenan or E407 is included in the list of additives of natural origin. It is isolated from the same marine red algae. To obtain carrageenan, the algae is treated with special reagents. The uniqueness of this substance is that it prolongs the shelf life and yield of the finished product, while reducing the cost price. More carrageenan reduces the amount of defective product and increases the elasticity and consistency density.
E407 is purified and semi-purified. In the first case, the stabilizer is obtained by digesting algae in an alkali solution and further concentration, and drying. The semi-purified carrageenan is also produced by digestion in an alkali solution containing potassium hydroxide .
It is important to replace that this stabilizer has the status "conditionally safe" for the organism. Е407 is used in dairy, meat, fish products, and also it is added to beverages, confectionery and bakery products.
Benefits and Harms of Carrageenan
Since E407 is of natural origin, it is used in medicine. This substance has antiviral and anti-enzyme action. It also prevents blood clotting and resists the formation of blood clots. It was also revealed that carrageenan helps to reduce the risk of cancer, and also it removes salts of heavy metals from the body. There is also information that the addition of carrageenan can reduce blood sugar and normalize the amount of cholesterol .
Separately it is necessary to say about the harm of carrageenan for a person. The carried out researches have established, that at the regular use of the products containing this additive, serious problems with GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT can arise. Experiments have shown that E407 may be the cause of ulcers and gastrointestinal cancer. One of the influential international organizations found the negative impact of carrageenan on children's body. That is why this substance in some countries is prohibited for use in the preparation of baby food.