The rate constants for the reactions of kappa-carrageenan with hydrated electron and hydroxyl radical was investigated by pulse radiolysis and laser photolysis. The kinetics of the reaction of hydrated electron indicates no seeming reaction with kappa-carrageenan. On the other hand, hydroxyl radical reacts very rapidly with kappa-carrageenan at a rate constant of approximately 1.2 x 10(9) M-1 s(-1). This rate constant varies with pH. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.