Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Gel strength of Ca-limited alginate gels made in situ

  • Published:
Hydrobiologia Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The gel strengths of Ca-alginate gels made in situ with different degree of cross-linking were determined by adapting three different methods: FIRA Jelly Tester, initial deformation (Youngs modulus, E) with a Stevens LFRA Texture Analyzer, and dynamic measurements with a Bohlin VOR Rheometer (dynamic storage modulus, G′). The results showed that there were relatively large differences in absolute values, but that the deviations diminished when the results were expressed as relative gel strengths. The deviations of the Youngs modulus (E) from G′ increased with decreasing gel strength. Only dynamic measurements were suitable for quantifying low gel strengths.

The gel strength and the breaking point were also measured as a function of the molecular weight of alginates isolated from stipes of Laminaria hyperborea. In the present Ca limited system, both the gel strength and the breaking point showed a marked increase with increasing molecular weight (Mw) up to 320–340 kD. This is considerably higher than with gels made by dialysis (‘Ca saturated’), where the gel strength becomes independent on molecular weight around 100 kD. These results may have an impact on applications of alginate gels where the source of Ca crosslinking ions is limited.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Campbell, L. E., 1938. The calibration of jelly-testers. J. Soc. chem. Ind. 57: 413–417.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cottrell, I. W. & P. Kovacs, 1980. Alginates. In H. B. Crawford & J. Williams (eds), Handbook of Water-Soluble Gums and Resins. McGraw-Hill, Auckland: 2.1–2.43.

    Google Scholar 

  • Draget, K. I., K. Østgaard & O. Smidsrød, 1989. Alginate based solid media for plant tissue culture. Appl. microbiol. Biotechnol. 31: 79–83.

    Google Scholar 

  • Draget, K. I., K. Østgaard & O. Smidsrød, 1991. Homogeneous alginate gels; A technical approach. Carbohydr. Polym. 14: 159–178.

    Google Scholar 

  • Flory, P. J., 1953. Principles of Polymer Chemistry. Oxford University Press, Itacha, p. 459.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grasdalen, H., 1983. High-field 1H-nmr spectroscopy of alginate: Sequential structure and linkage conformations. Carbohydr. Res. 118: 255–260.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grasdalen, H., B. Larsen & O. Smidsred, 1979. A PMR study of the composition and sequence of uronate residues in alginates. Carbohydr. Res. 56: C11-C15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kohn, R. & B. Larsen, 1972. Preparation of water-soluble polyuronic acids and their calcium salts, and the determination of calcium ion activity in relation to the degree of polymerization. Acta chem. Scand. 26: 2455–2468.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martinsen, A., G. Skj»k-Bæk, O. Smidsred, F. Zanetti & S. Paoletti, 1991. Comparison of different methods for determination of molecular weight and molecular weight distribution of alginates. Carbohydr. Polym. 15: 171–193.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell, J. R., 1976. Rheology of gels. J. Texture Studies 7: 313–339.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mitchell, J. R., 1980. The theology of gels. J. Texture Studies 11: 315–337.

    Google Scholar 

  • Skj»k-Bræk, G., O. Smidsrød & B. Larsen, 1986. Tailoring of alginates by enzymatic modification in vitro. Int. j. biol. Macromol. 8: 330–336.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smidsrød, O. & A. Haug, 1972a. Dependence upon the gelsol state of the ion-exchange properties of alginate. Acta chem. Scand. 26: 2063–2074.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smidsrød, O. & A. Haug, 1972b. Properties of poly (1,4-hexauronates) in the gel state. II. Comparison of gels of different chemical composition. Acta chem. Scand. 26: 79–88.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smidsrød, O. & G. Skj»k-Bræk, 1990. Alginate as immobilization matrix for cells. TIBTECH 5: 335–339.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smidsrød, O., A. Haug & B. Lian, 1972. Properties of poly (1,4-hexauronates) in the gel state. I. Evaluation of a method for the determination of stiffness. Acta chem. Scand. 66: 79–88.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stokke, B. T., O. Smidsred, P. Bruheim & G. Skj»k-Bræk, 1991. Distribution of uronate residues in alginate chains in relation to alginate gelling properties. Macromolecules 24: 4637–4645.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Norwegian Biopolymer Laboratory, Division of Biotechnology, Norwegian Institute of Technology, University of Trondheim, N-7034, Trondheim, Norway

    Draget K. I. & O. Smidsrød

  2. Pronova Biopolymer A/S, PO Box 494, N-3002, Drammen, Norway

    Simensen M. K. & Onsøyen E.

Authors
  1. Draget K. I.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Simensen M. K.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Onsøyen E.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. O. Smidsrød
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Draget, K.I., Simensen, M.K., Onsøyen, E. et al. Gel strength of Ca-limited alginate gels made in situ. Hydrobiologia 260, 563–565 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00049071

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00049071

Key words

Search

Navigation