I have an experience of storing hydrogels for YEARS with no sign of degradation. Just swollen in dilute solution of sodium azide to prevent microorganisms growth. But (I am totally with the comments above) - much depends on the hydrogel type. If a gel is degradable, it should be at least cooled to +4, or even frozen. Depending on the chemistry involved, the sample can be acidified or vice versa to slow down its degradation. If a gel can be easily oxidized - evidently, try removing dissolved oxygen via nitrogen bubbling.  If a gel is macroporous - it is better not to freeze it in swollen state, as it can damage the pores.  Etc.

One reason for long storage of a dry sample rather that a swollen one is that the first approach saves some space at the desk. But once again, first make sure that after drying-reswelling the gel structure is preserved intact. 

In a fridge? Do you already have any negative experience? Can they be deep-frozen or should the temperature be kept at some 4 °C?

What kind of hydrogels are you talking about ? Are they degradable, can they undergo hydrolysis, do you want to store the hydrogel hydrated or dry. These are different parameters that need to be taken into account.

This normally depends on the kind of hydrogels but if you can is always better to store them lyophilized...

I have an experience of storing hydrogels for YEARS with no sign of degradation. Just swollen in dilute solution of sodium azide to prevent microorganisms growth. But (I am totally with the comments above) - much depends on the hydrogel type. If a gel is degradable, it should be at least cooled to +4, or even frozen. Depending on the chemistry involved, the sample can be acidified or vice versa to slow down its degradation. If a gel can be easily oxidized - evidently, try removing dissolved oxygen via nitrogen bubbling.  If a gel is macroporous - it is better not to freeze it in swollen state, as it can damage the pores.  Etc.

One reason for long storage of a dry sample rather that a swollen one is that the first approach saves some space at the desk. But once again, first make sure that after drying-reswelling the gel structure is preserved intact. 

My hydrogels were fine for 1month period without significant swollen or deformation. It was sealed with absolute alcohol and kept in the refridge.

depending of the nature of the hydrogel, my experience is that you could keep it at 4C  for severals month without any alteration.

Storing in a refrigerator (4°C) will be good...If it is meant for any biological applications, don't go with lyophilization or dehydration process as it will induce the change in physico-chemical properties of hydrogels....

I stored in refrigerator(4°C) based on bacterial cellulose for 3months without any modification. Also you can store them under Alcohol.

HydroGel can be stored at room temperature and does not require special handling. Shelf life . Hydrogel-forming natural polymers include proteins such as collagen and gelatine and polysaccharides such as starch, alginate, and agarose. Synthetic polymers that form hydrogels are traditionally prepared using chemical polymerization methods

Dear Kirk Louie Umali Amandoron,

Hydrogel consist of 90% of water (10% polymer chain), when it is subjected to drying the water is removed from the substrate leading to the loss of water. The loss of weight corresponds to the water molecules entrapped in the hydro gel 3D self assembly. Peculiarity with hydrogel, after once hydration, drying the polymers get crystallize like rice grain once swell in water then dried it after that if try to swell again its can not possible due to crystallization of polysaccharide

Hydrogels based on poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG) are increasingly used in biomedical applications due to the ability to control cell-material interactions by tuning hydrogel physical and biological properties. Evaluation of stability after drying and storage are critical in creating an off-the-shelf biomaterial that functions in vivo according to original specifications is much concern for medical field.

Storage condition

It can be stored at room temperature and does not require special handling. Shelf life for unopened HydroGel is 24 months. Dry storage conditions preserved bioactivity after 6 weeks of storage; whereas, storage in PBS significantly reduced bioactivity. PEG-diacrylamide gels containing acrylate-PEG-linked collagen or Scl2-2 protein were found to retain cell adhesion and spreading better in dry conditions than in buffer after 6 weeks of storage. This loss of bioactivity was attributed to ester hydrolysis of the protein linker, acrylate-PEG-N-hydroxysuccinimide.

Ideally, processing and storage of products seeks to preserve the form and function as close to the manufactured state as possible. The performance of tissue-engineered hydrogel constructs is highly sensitive to changes in macroscopic properties and bioactivity; therefore, stability tests are crucial to determine the scaffold's shelf-life and guarantee quality upon use. By selecting appropriate processing and storage conditions in conjunction with a suitable sterilization method, the properties of an off-the-shelf bioactive scaffold can be maintained throughout its shelf life and ensure quality of function during its service life.

Ashish

Dear Kirk Louie Umali Amandoron,

Hydrogel consist of 90% of water (10% polymer chain), when it is subjected to drying the water is removed from the substrate leading to the loss of water. The loss of weight corresponds to the water molecules entrapped in the hydro gel 3D self assembly. Peculiarity with hydrogel, after once hydration, drying the polymers get crystallize like rice grain once swell in water then dried it after that if try to swell again its can not possible due to crystallization of polysaccharide

Hydrogels based on poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG) are increasingly used in biomedical applications due to the ability to control cell-material interactions by tuning hydrogel physical and biological properties. Evaluation of stability after drying and storage are critical in creating an off-the-shelf biomaterial that functions in vivo according to original specifications is much concern for medical field.

Storage condition

It can be stored at room temperature and does not require special handling. Shelf life for unopened HydroGel is 24 months. Dry storage conditions preserved bioactivity after 6 weeks of storage; whereas, storage in PBS significantly reduced bioactivity. PEG-diacrylamide gels containing acrylate-PEG-linked collagen or Scl2-2 protein were found to retain cell adhesion and spreading better in dry conditions than in buffer after 6 weeks of storage. This loss of bioactivity was attributed to ester hydrolysis of the protein linker, acrylate-PEG-N-hydroxysuccinimide.

Ideally, processing and storage of products seeks to preserve the form and function as close to the manufactured state as possible. The performance of tissue-engineered hydrogel constructs is highly sensitive to changes in macroscopic properties and bioactivity; therefore, stability tests are crucial to determine the scaffold's shelf-life and guarantee quality upon use. By selecting appropriate processing and storage conditions in conjunction with a suitable sterilization method, the properties of an off-the-shelf bioactive scaffold can be maintained throughout its shelf life and ensure quality of function during its service life.

Ashish

Buenas noches, deseo almacenar hidrogeles biodegradables por un periodo de un mes. Como puedo hacer existe un protocolo? Muchas gracias de ante mano.

Good evening, I wish to store biodegradable hydrogels for a period of one month. How can I make a protocol exist? Thank you very much in advance.