Alginate Fibers

Alginate chemical formula. 

Alginate, fiber obtained from the metal salts of alginic acid. Highly absorbent and gelling calcium alginate fibres are manufactured from sodium alginate extracted from seaweed. 

Alginate is a natural polysaccharide extracted from brown seaweeds. Alginate fibers can be made by extruding aqueous sodium alginate solution into an aqueous calcium chloride coagulation bath, using a simple wet-spinning process. 

On contact with wound exudate, alginate fibers have a unique ion-exchange property whereby the calcium ions in the fiber exchange with the sodium ions in the body fluid, and as a result part of the fiber becomes sodium alginate. Since sodium alginate is water soluble, this ion exchange leads to swelling of the fiber and in-situ formation of hydrogel on the wound surface. 

The gelling properties of alginate fibers are particularly important in the production of functional wound dressings. First, as the fibers hold more water in a swollen structure, the dressings are capable of absorbing more wound exudate, hence extending the duration of dressing use. Second, when the fibers absorb water into their structure and swell, the spaces between the fibers in the dressing are closed, thus prohibiting liquid from lateral spreading and preventing maceration of the areas surrounding the wound surface. 

Alginate nonwoven fabric. 

Calcium alginate dressings are highly absorbent and conformable. 

Indications: 

- superficial wounds, e.g. lacerations or abrasions, etc. 

- full and partial thickness wounds, e.g. leg ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, surgical wounds, etc. 

Clinical experience has shown that alginates possess a combination of characteristics that make them an ideal wound dressing for the treatment of many types of wet wounds. By combining fluid absorption with gel formation, dressings keep the wound moist but not macerated. This helps to create an environment in which to promote healing and reduce pain. 

Alginate fabric can be provided in roll form, as slit reels, as non-sterile cut pieces or packaged, labelled and sterilised topical or cavity dressings.