Physiochemical Properties Of Semi-Refined Carrageenan By Bleaching Pretreatment

Semi Refined carrageenan (SRC) products derived from red algae originated from lontar. Semi-Refined Carrageenan is one of the components of Eucheuma Cottoni. Carrageenan, which is sulfate galactan derived from red algae (Rhodophyta), is composed of D-galactose residues, which are alternately bound in 5-007-1,3 β-1,4 bonds. Extraction conditions affected the quality product of semi-refined Carrageenan. The extraction conditions such as pre-treatment, time, and temperature in extraction are very influential on SRC products' results. This work aimed to investigate the physicochemical properties of semi-refined red seaweed Carrageenan and the use of physical bleaching pre-treatment. The best result in variation of extraction time and solvent concentration at 80 0C at 2 hours.  Carrageenan's physicochemical properties at the best result are gel strength 715 gram/cm2, moisture content of 8%, ash content 18%, sulfate rate 11%, viscosity seven cP, gelling point 47.7 ◦ C, 57.8 ◦ C melting point, 61% White degree and the absence of heavy metals in SRC products. FTIR analyzes have shown that the extracted SRC consists mainly of kappa-carrageenan. The Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS) method was used to determine the substantial metal level in SRC, and the result showed met the FAO standard.