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Abstract
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Hydrogels receive increasing attention to be potentially utilized in tissue engineering due to their similarity with extracellular structure. Alginate hydrogel is formed by cross-linking interaction between the guluronic residues of the anionic alginate and divalent cations. This study focused on the properties of a low gelation rate of alginate hydrogels, based on solely the interaction between alginate and CaSO4. Increasing the concentration of CaSO4 (0.01-0.03 M) resulted in faster gelling time, increased gel strength, and a degree of syneresis. Meanwhile, a higher molecular weight of the alginate allowed for slower gelation time, increased gel strength, and decreased degree of syneresis. Gelation time, gel strength, cohesiveness, and stiffness of the hydrogel range from 3-5 min, 4.29-8.23 gf, 0.03-0.35, and 9.8-166.7 kgf/mm, respectively. A band shift of FTIR spectra was only observed in various CaSO4 concentrations while the molecular weight of alginate did not affect the spectra. The storage modulus and loss modulus ranged from 12.7-65.5 kPa and 0.5-18 kPa, respectively. The cross-linking still occurred even when the sol was set solid. The degree of cross-linking increased during gelation but reached a plateau in less than 24 hours. Syneresis was observed after 24 h, with the highest one being below 5.48%. The data showed the potency of the alginate-CaSO4 hydrogel for tissue engineering including as an injectable material.
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