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E 407a PROCESSED EUCHEUMA SEAWEED

in

Commission Directive 2004/45/EC

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 und 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 °C Not less than 5 mPa.s

Loss on drying Not more than 12 % (105 °C, 4 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 °C

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 50kDa) 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 mould Not more than 300 colonies per gram

E. coli Negative in 5 g

Salmonella spp. Negative in 10 g