Carrageenan
Carrageenan is obtained from various red seaweeds(marine algae). The major sources of carrageenan are now the two tropical red seaweeds Kappaphycus alverezii and Eucheuma denticulatum, also known as 'cottonii and spinosum' in popular literature. Rico Philippines Industrial Corporation (RPIC) uses Euchema species due to abundant supply of material in the country and nearby tropical areas. RPIC is producing kappa carrageenan from Euchema Cottonii and iota carrageenan from Euchema Spinosum seaweeds.
Carrageenan is used as a thickening, stabilizing or emulsifying agent in dairy products like chocolate milk, ice creams, milk pudding, yoghurt, flans and the like. It is also used in processed meats, dog food, toothpaste, air freshener gels, and a variety of other food and non-food products.
Carrageenan is frequently preferred over other thickening, suspending and binding ingredients because it is natural, economical, readily available and functional in an extremely broad application base.