Sargassum is a genus of brown (class Phaeophyceae) macroalgae (seaweed) in the order Fucales. It used to be used for alginate extraction. Alginates, derivatives of alginic acids, are used commercially for toothpaste, soaps, ice cream, tinned meats, fabric printing, and a host of other applications. It forms a stable viscous gel in water, and its primary function in the above applications is as a binder, stabilizer, emulsifier, or molding agent.
