It is the first time for me to fabricate alginate-Ca beads, and I want to use an encapsulator to do it. After keeping the alginate solution droplet in CaCl2 solution for 10 mins, how can I get those beads out?
i have read some relevant papers, but they just mention that we can filter the cacl2 solution. I do not know how to do it and what materials should I use to filter.
Begging for help!
Depending on the size of your beads, nearly any filter paper or sintered glass/plastic filter should work. Instead of filtration, we prefer to isolate material like that by mild centrifugation, as it eliminates the possibility of the beads accidentally drying out during filtration.
Hi, Greg Cote.
Thank you for your answer. It is very helpful. But, I am afraid that the centrifugation force will destroy those beads. What speed do you always use for beads like that? (is it ok with ~3000rpm)
I am looking forward to getting your reply!
Actually, if the beads are large enough, they should settle out without any need for centrifugation. If they don't, I would try something like 1000 rpm first, and if that doesn't work, gradually increase the speed and time until you find something that works for you. Microscopic examination may be helpful until you find a protocol that works for your conditions.
Thanks a lot, Greg Cote. Your suggestions are very useful. I will manage to do that.
Best wishes,
Since the beads are of large enough size, I would encourage to go for direct filtration using whatman filter paper...Followed by this you may wash the beads with water (x3) to remove unloaded drug.
You can also adopt to centrifuge the beads, but you may experience some deformation in size or clumping or sticking due to high centrifugal force.
Hi Rakesh Kumar Tekade,
Thank you for your anwser. I will take it into consideration.
Best wishes,
Dear Qin,
As I tested before, centrifugation does not work for alginate microbeads and they will be destroyed. Instead, you can easily draw the CaCl2 + alginate beads with the pipette and wait for few seconds. They will be deposited very soon. Then, you can just pour the section of CaCl2 which contains your beads, in the bottom of pipette, within desired container. Then, it is better to wash them 2 or 3 times with the next solution should be kept (with the same process that mentioned).
I hope this helps,
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