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Effects of Sterilization Treatments on Some Properties of Alginate Solutions and Gels
Author(s) -
Leo William J.,
Mcloughlin Aiden J.,
Malone Dermot M.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
biotechnology progress
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.572
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1520-6033
pISSN - 8756-7938
DOI - 10.1021/bp00001a008
Subject(s) - sterilization (economics) , ethylene oxide , sodium alginate , aqueous solution , chemistry , calcium alginate , sodium , chemical engineering , dry heat , nuclear chemistry , polymer , calcium , materials science , organic chemistry , composite material , copolymer , monetary economics , economics , foreign exchange market , engineering , foreign exchange
Aqueous sodium alginate solutions were subjected to various heat sterilization treatments. Sodium alginate powder was also treated by both gM‐irradiation and ethylene oxide sterilization. The effects of these treatments on the viscosities of sodium alginate solutions and both the diameter and strength of the beads formed in 0.1 M CaCl 2 solutions were determined quantitatively. The viscosity of sodium alginate solutions and the gel strength of the calcium alginate beads decreased with increasing sterilization temperature while the bead diameters were found to increase. All these effects can be attributable to a reduction in the degree of polymerization of the alginate molecules as a result of the heat treatments. Ethylene oxide and γ‐irradiation treatments caused similar effects. Standard conditions for sterilization are necessary for comparative studies with alginate beads.