For most applications of alginates, the molar mass (molecular
weight) is an important parameter determining the functionality
of the alginate for that specific application. Aqueous solutions
of alginates are viscous, the observed solution viscosity being
dependent on molar mass, concentration of alginate, temperature,
and potentially also presence of salts and other compounds in
the formulation. Viscosity measurements are often used as a
simple measurable parameter of changes in the molar mass of a
polymer, and thereby can be used as a stability indicating
parameter. Depolymerization of alginates will occur in solution
and in the solid state due to a variety of mechanisms. Smidsrød
et al (1963) observed that the presence of oxygen affected the
stability of non-purified alginates in solution due to the
presence of phenolic reducing substances that gave rise to
oxidative-reductive free radical depolymerization (ORD). On the
other hand, Holme et al. (2003; 2008) have shown that purified
alginates in the solid st