EXCIPIENT PROFILE OF SODIUM ALGINATE: FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERISTICS AND EMERGING TRENDS IN DRUG DELIVERY

Lathamani L.*, Sheeba J., Shobica K., Sowmiya K., Poornima A., Sathya S., Sneha T. J., Padmasri E.

Sodium alginate is a useful polymer that is extracted naturally and found in brown seaweed, and is used as an excipient in the food, medicinal, and environmental industries. In immediate release formulations, its primary role as a disintegrating agent can deal with penetration of liquids and disintegration of the tablet. Sodium alginate can be applied in the fields of food preservation, corrosion inhibition and wastewater treatment due to its biosafety, biocompatibility and biodegradability characteristics. Active additions enhance its filming ability that encourages food packing and enhances its antibacterial and antioxidant effects. Sodium alginate was discovered in 1881 and came to be famous in culinary, pharmaceutical and textile industries due to its gelling and thickening property. It is a hydrophilic, ionotropically gellable, hydrophilic polymer. To address its limitations, sodium alginate has been engineered and incorporated with other polymers, though its common applications are controlled-release pesticide formulations, 3D bioprinting, antimicrobial hydrogels and drug delivery. The extraction methods also involve the use of acidic and alkaline solutions to treat seaweed. Sodium alginate is typically stable, but it must be kept and stored cautiously to maintain its viscosity and other helpful properties. Its potential continues to expand in spheres where people value environmentally friendly solutions and sustainability.