Alginic acids and alginates: Methods for analysis, determination of the composition and structure elucidation

The review is concerned with the history and the modern state of the proble m of detection, quantitative determination, and primary structure character isation of alginic acids and their salts (alginates). A short description o f alginate structures and properties is given, and many analytical methods including chemical, physico-chemical, and enzymatic procedures, which have been used for structural analysis of alginates and may be suitable for inve stigation of other uronic acid-containing polysaccharides, are discussed.