Mucilage: What it is, its medicinal uses, and why it increases in seawater.

The plant-based version is produced by plants like aloe vera, flax, and mallow. The marine version comes from algae. And the animal version comes from snails.

di |
marine mucilage

La mucilage It is a viscous substance produced by many plants and some microorganisms. It is a hydrophilic compound that swells in the presence of water, forming a gelatinous massIts chemical composition varies, but it generally consists of complex polysaccharides. But why is it also used in medicine and cosmetics—even in Egyptian times—how is it recovered, and what are its benefits?

What

Mucilage performs numerous biological functions and has many practical applications. In nature, it protects plants from dehydration and infection, while in human use, it is used in medicine, cosmetics, and the food industry.

The beneficial properties of mucilage have been known for centuries. Ancient civilizations, such as the ancient Egyptians and Greeks, used extracts of mucilaginous plants to treat various diseases. In Egypt, mucilage, especially that collected from the roots of Marshmallow, was used for its soothing properties on the skinBut not only that, mucilage was also used in cooking for recipes.

Chemical composition of mucilage

Mucilage is mainly composed of polysaccharides, in particular:

  • Glucose
  • Arabinose
  • Galactose
  • Rhamnose
  • Xyloso

And other monosaccharides. The presence of these sugars allows plants to retain water and form a gel-like substance.

Mucilage, in fact, is characterized by high viscosity and a remarkable ability to absorb water. These properties make it useful as a thickening, emulsifying, and stabilizing agent in numerous industrial and pharmaceutical products. But there are many different types of mucilages.

Types of mucilage

Vegetable mucilage

Vegetable mucilage is produced by certain naturally occurring plants, such asaloe vera, the linen and the mallowThese plants accumulate mucilage in their leaves, seeds, or roots, which serves as a water reserve and even as protection against adverse environmental conditions. In some cases, such as aloe vera or holy basil, the latter also known as tulsi, the mucilage creates actual protection.

These plants use mucilage to protect yourself from dehydration, maintaining an optimal water balance even under conditions of environmental stress.

Marine mucilage

La marine mucilage It is produced by seaweed, microalgae and other marine organisms. In the Adriatic, for example, mucilage phenomena are frequent and are influenced by climatic factors such as high temperatures e anomalous precipitation.

For sure, the sea ​​warming and global warming, partly natural but accelerated by human activity, will continue to accentuate this phenomenon, leading, as is happening off the coast of the Romagna Riviera, to this type of event becoming increasingly frequent and even visible from the space station.

Le ecological consequences of the increase in mucilage can reduce the quality of sea water, unfortunately contributing to the loss of natural habitat and, therefore, also to the reduction of marine biodiversityThese effects, therefore, can profoundly alter marine ecosystems.

Animal mucilage

Some animals, such as snailsThey produce mucilage for defense and locomotion purposes. This mucilage has unique properties that make it useful in biomedical and cosmetic applications.

Use of mucilage in medicine

Mucilage has several health benefits. Among the best-known applications are its functions in:

  • Gastrointestinal treatments: Mucilage is used in medicine to treat gastrointestinal disorders, such as constipation , irritable bowel syndromeIts emollient properties help soothe and protect the intestinal mucosa.
  • Dermatological applications: thanks to its hydrating and healing properties, mucilage finds application in dermatological products for the treatment of burns, wounds and skin irritations.
  • Benefits for the immune system: Recent studies have shown that mucilage can have beneficial effects on immune system, helping to modulate the inflammatory response and improve the body's defenses.

Side effects and warnings

Mucilages are an excellent solution for constipation, as they offer comparable efficacy to traditional laxatives but with a lower risk of side effects. In fact, although it's recommended not to overdo the dosage or take them for too long, the risk of side effects is low. And the effects, however, could cause mild discomfort such as: swelling and abdominal cramps.

Industrial uses of mucilage

This viscous substance has numerous uses in other sectors as well, such as the production of processed foods and ultra-processed foods, but also in pharmaceuticals and beyond.

Food industry

In the food industry, mucilage is used as thickener, stabilizer ed emulsifierIt is present in numerous products, such as ice cream, sauces and drinks.

Pharmaceutical industry

Mucilage is also used in the pharmaceutical industry to formulate tablets, syrups and other medicinal preparations, thanks to its binding and viscosity-enhancing properties.

In addition to the food and pharmaceutical sectors, mucilage is used in other industries, such as cosmetics, textiles and paper.

Read also:

Want to see a selection of our news?

Don't Waste