Influence of Alginate Properties and Calcium Chloride Concentration on Alginate Bead Reticulation and Size: A Phenomenological Approach
Chanez Bennacef, Stéphane Desobry, Jordane Jasniewski, Sébastien Leclerc, Laurent Probst, Sylvie Banon
Polymers
Abstract
Two types of alginates, AlgLF and AlgP, were used in this study to produce alginate beads by electro-vibratory extrusion. AlgLF and AlgP exhibited different Mannuronate/Guluronate (M/G) ratios and molecular weights as measured by NMR and SEC-MALS. The calcium chloride concentration was found to have the greatest effect on bead size. Higher concentrations resulted in smaller beads. AlgLF with a higher molecular weight and a lower proportion of G blocks showed smaller beads. For both alginates, the bead size was also influenced by the flow rate and vibration frequency. Alginate solution aging showed a minimal effect. Alginate reticulation was modeled using a mathematical equation. The study provides insights for the optimization of alginate-based materials in different applications by shedding light on the main factors influencing bead size. The importance of the molecular weight, M/G ratio and calcium ion concentration in the gelling process is highlighted, providing opportunities for the tailoring of alginate materials through a phenomenological model.
Extracted Claims
4 claims extracted from this paper into the knowledge graph
alginate solution aging has minimal effect on bead size
“Alginate solution aging showed a minimal effect.”
AlgLF produces smaller beads
“AlgLF with a higher molecular weight and a lower proportion of G blocks showed smaller beads.”
calcium chloride concentration affects alginate bead size
“Higher concentrations resulted in smaller beads.”