Authored by: Lilit Ghochikyan, Pharm D.
Functions
Binder
Viscosity controlling agent
Emulsifier
Film-forming agent
Delivery vehicle
Gelling agent
Liposome forming agent
INCI namePropylene Glycol Alginate
Propylene Glycol Alginate (PGA) is a general name of 1,2-propane-diol esters with alginic acid (algin), usually obtained from Laminaria or Macrocystis species of brown seaweeds after a series of purification steps. PGAs are common food additives, marked as E405, with emulsifying, thickening, and gel-forming properties.
Esterification with propylene glycol improves algin properties, making it a universal ingredient for hydrocolloid systems. It allows formulators to achieve stable emulsions, gels, and film-forming applications. It also enables the formation of nanoparticles and forms complexes with various active ingredients, playing a crucial role in delivery systems.
The surface activity, rheological properties, and gelling potential of different Propylene Glycol Alginates depend on the degree of esterification. Changing the ion balance or adding urea to PGA-based systems can also help control the formulation's physical and sensory properties.
Combined with other polysaccharides like Xanthan gum, Propylene Glycol Alginate from more stable emulsions enables the loading of pure soluble ingredients like Calcium carbonate or hydrophobic carotenoids like Lutein. It also helps to solubilize proteins from gels in aqueous media.
References
A comprehensive review of propylene glycol alginate in the food industry: Synthesis, safety, composite hydrocolloids and application
Author(s):
Ma Mengjie, Liu Yueyue, Zhang Shuaizhong, Yuan Yongkai
DOI:
10.1016/j.tifs.2025.104900
The presence of propylene glycol alginate increased the stability and intestine-targeted delivery potential of carboxymethyl starch-stabilized emulsions
Author(s):
Wang L, Wei Z, Xue C
DOI:
10.1016/j.foodres.2022.111387
pH-driven self-assembly of alcohol-free curcumin-loaded propylene glycol alginate nanoparticles
Author(s):
Yuan Y, Ma M, Zhang S, Wang D, Xu Y
DOI:
10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2021.12.025
Propylene glycol alginate-based film activated by Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) powder: Physicochemical, microstructural, and functional properties
Author(s):
Li L, Zhao Y, Molaveisi M, Shi Q
DOI:
10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.148845
Propylene glycol alginate (PGA) gelled foams: A systematic study of surface activity and gelling properties as a function of degree of esterification
Author(s):
Nilsen-Nygaard Julie, Hattrem Magnus N., Draget Kurt I.
DOI:
10.1016/j.foodhyd.2016.01.011
CaCO3 loaded lipid microspheres prepared by the solid-in-oil-in-water emulsions technique with propylene glycol alginate and xanthan gum
Author(s):
Li G, Zhao Y, Zhang J, Hao J, Xu D, Cao Y
DOI:
10.3389/fnut.2022.961326
Stability of lutein in O/W emulsion prepared using xanthan and propylene glycol alginate
Author(s):
Wang L, Li Y, Xiang D, Zhang W, Bai X
DOI:
10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.02.162
