Surface-treated carboxyalkylated polysaccharides comprising a biobasedcontent of at least 82 % are described herein. The surface-treated carboxyalkylatedpolysaccharides comprise a CRC of at least 18 g/g, a FSC of at least 26 g/g, and anAUL at 0.7 psi of at least 14 g/g. Processes for the manufacture of surface-treatedcarboxyalkylated polysaccharides are also described herein.