> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://nicholsonlabs.gitbook.io/labs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://nicholsonlabs.gitbook.io/labs/bioplastic/recipes-raw-seaweed/cc06-chrondus-crispus-carrageenan.md).

# CC06 Chrondus Crispus (Carrageenan)

Using the seaweed from CC05, I tried to make more bioplastic by blending the seaweed goop in water and applying heat. 

Ingredients:

1. Water (100 mL boiling or hot)
2. The seaweed solids from CC05

Procedure:

1. When you strain the goop and the seaweed with a mesh strainer in CC05, collect whatever is in the mesh strainer. 
2. Put what you collected from the mesh strainer into a beaker.
3. Let the beaker sit for a week. Do not touch it or add water. Don't worry, mold will not grow. 
4. After a week, dump the contents of the beaker into a blender. I used an immersion blender for this, but other beakers should work just as well.
5. Add the boiling or hot water to the blender. 
6. Blend for a few minutes so you can obtain a very thick and homogenous slurry. This step takes some time but is critical for a cosmetically-appealing bioplastic. Imagine the slurry being a milkshake - you don't want any seaweed bits in it - so you need to blend for a while. 
7. Pour the slurry into a pan. 
8. Heat the pan until it reaches just below boiling and gelling starts happening. This could take between 3-10 minutes depending on quantity, temperature, and preferred bioplastic thickness. 
9. Cast your gelled slurry onto a glass plate or silicone mold. 
10. Wait 5 days and peel off your bioplastic!

Images of the process:

![](/files/E4gYDqXEOc0dP2lcd2bj)![](/files/PT1c4KJoledH0ORKUIq0)![](/files/ejZqyIyIIQjJlRUNFmJG)![](/files/R4kycnaJl9tql1C8TRvY)

Before drying:

![](/files/SaS8GGG6FYCRU7zbei4B)

During drying:

![](/files/4PDfGp6VyB4IBtuoW4VW)

After drying:

![](/files/ucAuKNLNziZLuk7A7wOZ)

Results:

This turned out to be a success, albeit the plastic smells a little funny. It's not very transparent either. But it is really flexible and thin, with some strength and structure to it. And it doesn't stick to itself!