title: Ionically gelled alginate foams: physical properties controlled by operational and macromolecular parameters.
abstract: Alginates in the format of scaffolds provide important functions as materials for cell encapsulation, drug delivery, tissue engineering and wound healing among others. The method for preparation of alginate-based foams presented here is based on homogeneous, ionotropic gelation of aerated alginate solutions, followed by air drying. The method allows higher flexibility and better control of the pore structure, hydration properties and mechanical integrity compared to foams prepared by other techniques. The main variables for tailoring hydrogel properties include operational parameters such as degree of aeration and mixing times and concentration of alginate, as well as macromolecular properties such as the type of alginate (chemical composition and molecular weight distribution). Exposure of foams to γ-irradiation resulted in a dose-dependent (0-30 kGy) reduction in molecular weight of the alginate and a corresponding reduction in tensile strength of the foams.
authors.affiliation: FMC BioPolymer AS/NovaMatrix, Sandvika, Norway. therese.andersen@fmc.com
authors.forename: Therese
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Andersen
authors.forename: Jan Egil
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Melvik
authors.forename: Olav
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Gåserød
authors.forename: Eben
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Alsberg
authors.forename: Bjørn E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Christensen
mesh_terms: D000464:Alginates / Q000737:chemistry*; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D001704:Biopolymers / Q000737:chemistry; D004337:Drug Carriers; D005782:Gels / Q000737:chemistry*; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate / Q000737:chemistry; D008970:Molecular Weight; D013718:Tensile Strength; D023822:Tissue Engineering; D054457:Tissue Scaffolds; D014945:Wound Healing
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001704:Biopolymers; D004337:Drug Carriers; D005782:Gels; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate