influence the IRI activity of this carrageenan. Because the IRI activity of the κ/ι hybrid carrageenan LC2 was clearly higher, the varying functionality must be derived from the structural composition. Based on the IRI activity of the other carrageenans, the distribution of κ-units or the length of blocks with κ structural elements may be an important factor: LC2 was excessively degraded with κ-carrageenase while LC1 was hydrolyzed to a lower extent. This is most likely the result of a higher portion of consecutive κ-units.