Description
Alginic acid is a linear copolymer with homopolymeric blocks of (1-4)-linked -D-mannuronate (M) and its C-5 epimer L-guluronate (G) residues, respectively, covalently linked together in different sequences or blocks. The monomers may appear in homopolymeric blocks of consecutive G-residues (G-blocks), consecutive M-residues (M-blocks) or alternating M and G-residues (MG-blocks). With metals such as sodium and calcium, its salts are known as alginates. Alginate can be used in hydrogels, biocomposite, wound dressing, and dehydrating additive.