Effect of alkali treatment process parameters on semi refined carrageenan functional groups

Semi refined carrageenan (SRC) has been produced by alkali treatment from the seaweed Kappaphytus alvarezii. The effect of two alkali treatment process parameters; variation of potassium hydroxide (KOH) concentration and cooking temperature on SRC functional group has been investigated. The KOH concentration and temperature are in the range of 6-9%w/w and 60-80°C respectively at 60 min. The SRC powder is prepared using spray drying technique of SRC solution. The total absorption or compositions functional groups of SRC powder have been determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The analysis of experimental data shows that the investigated functional group composition of SRC produced is very much affected by KOH concentration. The predicted values of functional groups of sulphation, 3,6-anhydrous-G-galactose and D-galactose-4-sulphate are 1233.93, 928.41, 848.12 cm -1 respectively.