Carrageenans are used to suppress immune responsein vivoandin vitrovia mechanisms believed to involve selective cytopathic effect on macrophages. As - - and -carrageenans have varying degress of sulfation they may be studied comparatively for differences in protective antiviral and immunosuppression activities.

For R&D use onlynot for drug household or other uses.

Carrageenans are mucopolysaccharides from the cell walls of the red algae. They are anionic linear polymers composed of 13-14-galactans having one (-) two (-) or three (-) sulfates per disaccharide unit. In ionic solutions - and -carrageenans self-associate into helical structures that form rigid or flexible gels respectively.