We extracted the mucilaginous carbohydrates at either 120 C
or 140 C (Table 1). No chemicals were used in the extraction process
in one series. In another series, 0.5 % sulfuric acid by dry
weight of red algae was used to enhance the extraction, and increase
the efficiency of the bleaching process. The extraction process
is similar to the pulping process used in the manufacture of
wood pulp. There is no lignin in red algae, and therefore, there is
no need to use strong chemicals to dissolve lignin. The water to
red algae (dry weight) ratio was maintained at 10.