Product Introduction
Carrageenan is a natural hydrocolloid extracted from red seaweed (Rhodophyceae), also known in the trade as Irish moss extract, chondrus extract, or carrageenan gum. As a leading Chinese carrageenan supplier, wholesaler, and factory, WEHENGFOOD™ produces and exports both pure carrageenan and custom compound carrageenan blends to manufacturers worldwide, backed by our own production facility and direct-from-factory pricing.
Depending on the sulfate ester bonding pattern, carrageenan is divided into three main types:
- Kappa carrageenan — forms strong, rigid gels; available in refined (higher purity, higher clarity, higher price) and semi-refined grades
- Iota carrageenan — forms soft, elastic gels; typically supplied semi-refined
- Lambda carrageenan — non-gelling, used purely as a thickener/viscosity builder
Pure Carrageenan vs. Compound Carrageenan
WEHENGFOOD supplies carrageenan in two forms:
- Pure carrageenan — single-type (Kappa, Iota, or Lambda) or standard Kappa/Iota blends, sold as-is for customers who do their own formulation.
- Compound carrageenan — carrageenan pre-blended with other hydrocolloids (konjac gum, locust bean gum, guar gum, xanthan gum) and food additives (potassium chloride, calcium salts, sugars) to hit a specific texture, gel strength, or dissolution profile — for example, ready-to-use instant jelly/pudding powder mixes that just need water and mixing.
As a carrageenan manufacturer and exporter, WEHENGFOOD has established cooperation with leading Chinese carrageenan producers Greenfresh and BLG, and also trades and exports their carrageenan products to overseas customers alongside our own factory production — giving buyers a wider range of grades and price points from a single, reliable supplier. We can customize either form to your target gel strength, texture (brittle vs. elastic), clarity, dissolution speed, or finished-product recipe — send us your application and target specs and our R&D team will formulate a matching sample.
Certificate of Analysis
检测项目Test Items | 标准参数 Standard Specification | 结果 Results |
外观Appearance | 淡黄色至白色粉末 yellowish to white powder | 符合 Conform |
目数Particle Size | 90%过80目 90 % passed 80 mesh | 符合 Conform |
总灰分Ash,w/% | 15～40 | 符合 Conform |
干燥减量Loss on Drying,w/% | ≤ 12.0 | 10.9 |
黏度Viscosity,mPa.s | ≥5 | 1619 |
凝胶强度 Gel Strength, g | ≥50 | 139 |
铅Pb/(mg/kg) | ≤5.0 | 符合 Conform |
砷As/(mg/kg) | ≤3.0 | 符合 Conform |
镉Cd/(mg/kg) | ≤2.0 | 符合 Conform |
汞Hg/(mg/kg) | ≤ 1.0 | 符合 Conform |
菌落总数Total Plate Count, CFU/g | ≤5000 | 1200 |
霉菌与酵母菌Yeast & Moulds, CFU/g | ≤300 | <100 |
大肠埃希氏菌E. coli (5g) | 不得检出 Absent | 符合 Conform |
沙门氏菌Salmonella (10g) | 不得检出 Absent | 符合 Conform |
结论Conclusion | 通过Passed | |
Functions and Usages
Functions
- Gelling agent — forms thermoreversible gels (Kappa: firm/brittle; Iota: soft/elastic)
- Thickener — increases viscosity in liquid systems without gelling (Lambda)
- Stabilizer — prevents ingredient separation and ice-crystal formation in emulsions and frozen products
- Water-binding / texture improver — reacts strongly with milk and meat proteins to retain moisture and improve mouthfeel
- Suspending agent — keeps particulates evenly distributed in liquid formulations
Applications
WEHENGFOOD carrageenan (pure or compounded) is widely used across food and non-food industries, including:
- Jelly, pudding, and dessert gels
- Ice cream and frozen desserts
- Bakery fillings and confectionery / soft candy (gummies)
- Canned foods and processed meat products
- Congee, edible bird’s nest, and other Asian convenience foods
- Cold dishes / salad dressings
- Household & personal care: laundry detergents, pet food binders, cosmetics and toothpaste
Factory
Package
Exhibitions
FAQ
Q1: What’s the difference between Kappa, Iota, and Lambda carrageenan?
Kappa forms firm, brittle gels and is the most widely used type for jellies and desserts. Iota forms soft, elastic, freeze-thaw stable gels, ideal for dairy and meat applications. Lambda does not gel at all and is used solely as a thickener in dairy and sauces.
Q2: What is the difference between refined and semi-refined carrageenan?
Refined carrageenan goes through an additional purification (alcohol precipitation) step, giving it higher purity, better clarity in solution, and a lighter color — but at a higher production cost. Semi-refined carrageenan (SRC) retains more cellulose residue, giving it a slightly off-white/tan color and lower cost, and is commonly used in applications where clarity isn’t critical, such as pet food and meat processing.
Q3: Is WEHENGFOOD a carrageenan manufacturer or a trading company?
WEHENGFOOD operates its own production facility and has also established long-term cooperation with certified carrageenan factories in China, allowing us to offer factory-direct pricing with the flexibility of a trading company for smaller or custom orders.
Q4: What is the MOQ and lead time for carrageenan orders?
Our minimum order quantity is 500 KG (smaller trial quantities can be discussed), with typical lead times of 7–15 days depending on type, grade, and order volume.
Q5: What certifications does WEHENGFOOD’s carrageenan carry?
Our carrageenan is produced and exported under ISO, HACCP, Halal, and Kosher certification, meeting international food-grade safety standards for export markets.
Q6: What packaging and shelf life should I expect?
Carrageenan is packed in 25kg kraft paper bags with a PE liner to protect against moisture. Under normal storage conditions (cool, dry, sealed), shelf life is 2 years from the production date.
