Abstract: A stabilizer for milk products comprised of a carrageenan extractive of Eucheuma cottonii seaweed having a water viscosity at 1.5% concentration and 75.degree. C. of not less than 5 mPa.s and not more than about 20 mPa.s.

Abstract: Modified kappa-carrageenan containing hydroxyalkyl groups each having two to three carbon atoms, the degree of substitution of such groups above the corresponding unsubstituted kappa-carrageenan being from 0.1 to 2.0 meq. per gram, forms aqueous gels exhibiting decreased syneresis and melting point and increased compliancy as compared with the corresponding unmodified kappa-carrageenan. The modified kappa-carrageenan is useful in food products as well as in latex paint.

Abstract: A modified agarose or agar containing alkylated, alkenylated, acylated or hydroxyalkylated agarose in which the alkyl, alkenyl, and acyl groups contain from 1 to 3 carbon atoms and the hydroxyalkyl groups contain from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, which modified product has a gelling temperature at least 1.degree.C. lower than the gelling temperature of the corresponding unmodified agarose or agar. The modified material also has a lowered melting point and a higher clarity than the unmodified. The product is made by alkylation, etc. either in a non-aqueous solvent or in an aqueous alkaline solvent; in the latter case the aldehyde end group of the unmodified material may be first blocked by reduction to the hydroxyl group. The compounds are useful as thickeners, for electrophoresis and for diffusive Interactions.