car·ra·geen·an or car·ra·geen·in .kar-ə-'gē-nən n a colloid extracted from various red algae and esp. Irish moss and used esp. as a suspending agent (as in foods) and as a clarifying agent (as for beverages) and in controlling crystal growth in frozen confections
* * *
car·ra·gee·nan (kar″ə-geґnən) [Carragheen, village in southeastern Ireland] [NF] a colloidal extractive derived from certain red marine algae, such as of the genera 1. Chondrus, Eucheuma, and Gigartina, composed of a mixture of sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium salts of an acid sulfate of a galactose-containing polysaccharide. Used chiefly as a suspending agent in foods, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. Spelled also carrageenin, carragheenan, and carragheenin.Medical dictionary. 2011.