I ota型精制卡拉胶主要是从海洋红藻刺麒麟菜中提取的高分子亲水性多糖。I型卡拉胶又称钙敏卡拉胶，凝胶具有保水性好、透明度高等优良特性，广泛应用到乳制品、饮料、新型保健品、药品及日化产品等领域。 Carrageenans are mucopolysaccharides from the cell walls of the red algae. They are anionic linear polymers composed of 1,3α-1,4β-galactans having one (κ-), two (ι-) or three (λ-) sulfates per disaccharide unit. In ionic solutions, κ- and ι-carrageenans self-associate into helical structures that form rigid or flexible gels, respectively. λ-carrageenans do not form helices and are non-gelling. Carrageenans are used commercially as thickeners and stabilizing agents. Carrageenans are linear sulfated (IOTA, KAPA and GAMMA) glycans used as plant defense eliciting and anti-viral agents. Carrageenans are used to suppress immune response in vivo and in vitro via mechanisms believed to involve selective cytopathic effect on macrophages. IOTA, KAPA and GAMMA carrageenans vary at the level of sulfation and may be studied comparatively to determine their differential protective, antiviral and immunosuppression activities.