| Synonyms | PES (acronym for processed eucheuma seaweed) |
| Definition | Processed eucheuma seaweed is obtained by aqueous alkaline (KOH) treatment of the natural strains of seaweeds Eucheuma cottonii and Eucheuma spinosum, of the class Rhodophyceae (red seaweeds) to remove impurities and by fresh water washing and drying to obtain the product. Further purification may be achieved by washing with methanol, ethanol or propane-2-ol and drying. The product consists chiefly of the potassium salts of polysaccharide sulphate esters which, on hydrolysis, yield galactose and 3,6-anhydrogalactose. Sodium, calcium and magnesium salts of the polysaccharide sulphate esters are present in lesser amounts. Up to 15 % algal cellulose is also present in the product. The carrageenan in processed eucheuma seaweed shall not be hydrolysed or otherwise chemically degraded |
| Description | Tan to yellowish, coarse to fine powder which is practically odourless |
| Identification | |
A.Positive tests for galactose, for anhydrogalactose and for sulphate | |
B.Solubility | Forms cloudy viscous suspensions in water. Insoluble in ethanol |
| Purity | |
| Methanol, ethanol, propane-2-ol content | Not more than 0,1 % singly or in combination |
| Viscosity of a 1,5 % solution at 75 oC | Not less than 5 mPa.s |
| Loss on drying | Not more than 12 % (105 oC, four hours) |
| Sulphate | Not less than 15 % and not more than 40 % on the dried basis (as SO4) |
| Ash | Not less than 15 % and not more than 40 % determined on the dried basis at 550 oC |
| Acid-insoluble ash | Not more than 1 % on the dried basis (insoluble in 10 % hydrochloric acid) |
| Acid-insoluble matter | Not less than 8 % and not more than 15 % on the dried basis (insoluble in 1 % v/v sulphuric acid) |
| Low molecular weight carrageenan (Molecular weight fraction below 50 kDa) | Not more than 5 % |
| Arsenic | Not more than 3 mg/kg |
| Lead | Not more than 5 mg/kg |
| Mercury | Not more than 1 mg/kg |
| Cadmium | Not more than 1 mg/kg |
| Total plate count | Not more than 5 000 colonies per gram |
| Yeast and moulds | Not more than 300 colonies per gram |
| E. coli | Negative in 5 g |
| Salmonella spp. | Negative in 10 g |
