E405 (Propylene glycol alginate) is a chemical compound, an ester of alginic acid and is derived from Algin, a natural biodegradable component, a biological polysaccharide and colloidal carbohydrate.

It appears as a white powder soluble in cold water.

What it is used for and where

Algin is a natural, gelling, soluble polymer found in marine algae and extracted from brown algae such as Turbinaria, Cystoseira, Sargassum and Hormophysa. It is available as propylene glycol alginate, ester, precipitate or paste.

Food

Propylene glycol alginate is added in dairy products, candies, sweets, jellies. It has the number E405 on the list of European food additives as a thickener, defoamer and emulsifier. It does, however, make the dough sticky. It is added to beer to create a mousse and as a thickener in salad dressings. 

Animal feed

Binder for fish feed.

Cosmetics

Binder agent. Ingredient that is used in cosmetic, food and pharmaceutical products as an anti-caking agent with the function of making the product in which it is incorporated silky, compact and homogenous. The binder, either natural such as mucilage, gums and starches or chemical, may be in the form of a powder or liquid.

Surfactant - Suspending agent. Cosmetic or pharmaceutical suspensions are known to be thermodynamically unstable and it is therefore essential to include in the formulation a suspending agent capable of dispersing any sedimented particulates and reducing the rate of sedimentation. The presence of this agent increases the consistency of the suspension medium and exerts a protective colloidal action with a surfactant action.

CAS: 9005-37-2