Hi,

I have used the only alginate as a gelling agent to encapsulate WJMSCs. I have used 2%w/v alginate solution, with a 5 ml syringe (22 Gauge) formed beads in calcium chloride (100mM) solution. Within avg. 7mins, it formed a stable bead.

Suggestions..

*calcium chloride solution must be chilled cold then forms nicely.

**Concentration of your gelling agent will matter

***I know 'inverted tube assay' if it fits your context, then you can do it & that may give you an idea about gel solidification in terms of cross-linking at the inner part.

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Regards

Saurabh

Dear Giovanni Gonnella

The complete gelation or strength of alginate can affected by alginate and crosslinker concentration, the type of alginate (M.W, G block ratio), surfactant ratio, needle gauge, flow rate as well as the crosslinking time. I have used alginate polymer to synthesis nanoparticles and beads also. The minimum time is around 30 min ( normally, I choose 45-60 min).

I don't sure, but guess it relates to internal and external ionotropic relation! I have see these two keywords already but I don't know what are they.

Hi Giovanni,

To check whether the inner part of your gel is solidifying or not, you can put some fluorescent beads which should be but larger than the pore size of alginate. If you see beads moving under the microscope (not Brownian motion) that will imply that your inner gel has not solidified.

I hope this helps.