Commission Directive 2008/84/EC (repealed)Show full title

E 407a PROCESSED EUCHEUMA SEAWEED

Synonyms	PES (acronym for processed eucheuma seaweed)
Definition	Processed eucheuma seaweed is obtained by aqueous alkaline (KOH) treatment of the natural strains of seaweeds Eucheuma cottonii and Eucheuma spinosum, of the class Rhodophyceae (red seaweeds) to remove impurities and by fresh water washing and drying to obtain the product. Further purification may be achieved by washing with methanol, ethanol or propane-2-ol and drying. The product consists chiefly of the potassium salts of polysaccharide sulphate esters which, on hydrolysis, yield galactose and 3,6-anhydrogalactose. Sodium, calcium and magnesium salts of the polysaccharide sulphate esters are present in lesser amounts. Up to 15 % algal cellulose is also present in the product. The carrageenan in processed eucheuma seaweed shall not be hydrolysed or otherwise chemically degraded
Description	Tan to yellowish, coarse to fine powder which is practically odourless
Identification
A. Positive tests for galactose, for anhydrogalactose and for sulphate
B. Solubility	Forms cloudy viscous suspensions in water. Insoluble in ethanol
Purity
Methanol, ethanol, propane-2-ol content	Not more than 0,1 % singly or in combination
Viscosity of a 1,5 % solution at 75 oC	Not less than 5 mPa.s
Loss on drying	Not more than 12 % (105 oC, four hours)
Sulphate	Not less than 15 % and not more than 40 % on the dried basis (as SO4)
Ash	Not less than 15 % and not more than 40 % determined on the dried basis at 550 oC
Acid-insoluble ash	Not more than 1 % on the dried basis (insoluble in 10 % hydrochloric acid)
Acid-insoluble matter	Not less than 8 % and not more than 15 % on the dried basis (insoluble in 1 % v/v sulphuric acid)
Low molecular weight carrageenan (Molecular weight fraction below 50 kDa)	Not more than 5 %
Arsenic	Not more than 3 mg/kg
Lead	Not more than 5 mg/kg
Mercury	Not more than 1 mg/kg
Cadmium	Not more than 1 mg/kg
Total plate count	Not more than 5 000 colonies per gram
Yeast and moulds	Not more than 300 colonies per gram
E. coli	Negative in 5 g
Salmonella spp.	Negative in 10 g