title: Characterisation of small molecules diffusion in hydrogel-membrane liquid-core capsules.
abstract: The overall diffusion coefficients for several low molecular weight solutes, such as glucose, fructose, sucrose, lactose, and vitamin B(12) have been determined in Ca-alginate membrane liquid-core capsules using the unsteady-state method following the release of solutes from the capsules to a well-stirred solution of limited volume. The diffusion coefficients obtained for saccharides were 5-20% lower than the corresponding diffusivity in water while for vitamin B(12) about 50% that of water. The diffusion coefficients of the investigated capsules were not influenced by the change in alginate concentration in the capsule membrane from 0.5 to 1.0%. Lower diffusivities and higher deviations from the diffusivity in water were obtained for higher molecular weight solutes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology, Agricultural University of Poznan, Mazowiecka 48, 60-623, Poznan, Poland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dembczynski
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jankowski