Ammonium alginate is the ammonium salt of alginic acid and is a natural polysaccharide which is extracted from different seaweeds of the Phaeophycease family. When extracted from the cell walls of brown algae, it forms a flavourless gum that is added to foods to increase viscosity, as well as acting as an emulsifier, thickener, and stabiliser. It is quickly absorbed by water, which makes it very useful in dehydrated products.http://www.creative-enzymes.com/product/Ammonium-Alginate_382.html