Carrageenan Seaweed Marbling

The ancient art of paper and fabric marbling uses a carrageenan mixture on which to float paints or inks.

Carrageenan seaweed marbling.

The paper or fabric is then laid on it absorbing the colours. For larger quantities repeat using same proportions. Recommended proportions for marbling. Used as an inactive excipient in pills and tablets.

An extract from the seaweed irish moss. Carrageenan is a seaweed extract and is the traditional marbling size. Carrageenan is a mucilaginous substance that is obtained from a several species of red algae namely chondrus crispus it is an edible substance that is used as a thickener and a gelatine substitute it has a sea like smell and it requires washing to remove the excess salt and iodine it is similar to agar a gelatinous substance obtained from seaweed and algae but agar sets even in cold. The solution on which the colors are floated is referred to as the size the size can be made of several different types of gel or gum but the finest and most detailed marbling must be done on carrageenan size carrageenan is an extract from a seaweed called irish moss.

They feel it offers better control and results in more precise patterning. Pour mixture into a bucket add enough water to make a total of 1 gal 3 79 l and stir. Carrageenan also known as irish moss is a widely used food ingredient derived from red seaweed. The french use a form.

It s a natural ingredient that comes from red seaweed also called irish moss. This is a powdered gelatin which you mix with water in a blender to form the size on which the colors float. Carrageenan is used for coughs bronchitis tuberculosis and intestinal problems. A tray with the approximate dimensions of the paper to be marbled is filled with this liquid to depth of about six centimeters.

Carrageenan is an additive used to thicken emulsify and preserve foods and drinks. A type of gum seaweed gives the water a degree of viscosity. Even though there are many kinds of gels and thickeners available nothing has been found that works better for marbling than carrageenan. In a blender slowly add the carrageenan to 3 cups 0 71 l warm water and blend until fully dispersed.

Marbling begins first with the dissolving seaweed powder in water seaweed is a white material derived from an ocean plant. To immobilize cells and enzymes. 4 teaspoons 19 g carrageenan to 1 gal 3 79 l water.