Description
Sun-dried, cleaned whole seaweed of Eucheuma cottonii (now classified Kappaphycus alvarezii), the principal raw material for kappa-carrageenan-iota-high-purity" class="underline" style="color: var(--sage-deep); text-decoration-color: var(--sage-deep);">carrageenan production. Used by food, cosmetic, and supplement manufacturers as a starting material for in-house extraction or as a whole-food ingredient.
Light tan to brown dried thalli, branched and irregular in shape. Faint marine aroma. Salt-cured and sun-dried to typical moisture below 38 percent at point of collection, further dried to 18 to 25 percent for export.
We supply Eucheuma Cottonii Crude from China-based processing partners with cross-border sourcing from Indonesia, the Philippines, Tanzania, and Vietnam, holding ISO, Halal, Kosher and other certifications relevant to the product and production.
Common market grades include sun-dried whole-thallus, salt-cured pressed bales, and machine-cleaned hygienic-grade material for food use.
Bulk and reduced-MOQ shipments. Batch-level COA covering carrageenan yield, moisture, salt content, impurities, and microbiology.
Introduction
Eucheuma cottonii, taxonomically Kappaphycus alvarezii, is the world's most commercially important carrageenan-producing seaweed. Cultivation in shallow tropical waters has expanded from its origins in the Philippines to encompass Indonesia, Tanzania, Madagascar, and Vietnam, with annual production exceeding 10 million wet tonnes.
The plant is the principal natural source of kappa carrageenan, the sulfated polysaccharide that forms firm gels with potassium ions and underpins dairy stabilization, processed meats, and confectionery jellies globally.
Smallholder farming, predominantly run by coastal villagers on bamboo or rope lines in shallow lagoons, supplies the great majority of global production. The crop is harvested at 6 to 8 weeks, sun-dried, and sold to processors who convert it to refined or semi-refined carrageenan.
Buyers of crude Eucheuma cottonii typically operate downstream carrageenan extraction or are entering the seaweed-food category where whole-thallus consumption is valued for traditional culinary use.
Where it is used
- Industrial extraction of refined kappa carrageenan
- Industrial production of PES (processed Eucheuma seaweed)
- Whole-seaweed snacks and salads in Asian markets
- Cosmetic ingredient for skin and hair formulations
- Supplement and nutraceutical raw material for seaweed powders
- Animal feed and aquaculture nutrition
- Bioplastic and biofilm research applications
- Traditional dessert and jelly preparation in Southeast Asia
Technical data
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Light tan to brown dried thalli |
| Carrageenan yield (alkali extraction) | ≥ 35.0% dry basis |
| Moisture | 18.0% to 25.0% |
| Salt content (NaCl) | ≤ 25.0% |
| Foreign matter | ≤ 3.0% |
| Sand and shell content | ≤ 2.0% |
| Heavy metals (as Pb) | ≤ 5 mg/kg |
| Arsenic | ≤ 3 mg/kg |
| Total plate count | ≤ 100000 cfu/g |
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