Introduction Up to recent times users of seaweed hydrocolloids have had their choice of only three types: carrageenan, algin, and agar. Now comparative newcomers have become increasingly important. One of the most promising of these is furcellaran, the extract of the seaweed species Furceliaria fastigiata (Fig. 1). This plant is found principally in Danish waters where its collection and utilization forms the l)asis of the Danish seaweed industry.