Alginate is generally available as alginic acid, sodium salt that is regularly called sodium alginate. It is a linear polysaccharide that typically isolated from numerous strains of marine brown seaweed and algae, in this manner the name is alginate. The copolymer comprises of two uronic acids which are D-mannuronic acid (M) and L-guluronic acid (G). That is because it is the skeletal component of the algae and it has the decent property of being strong but then flexible. The most ideal in preparation of sodium alginate is by adding the powder to agitated water rather than vice verso to avoid formation of clumps.
Alginic acid can be in two conditions which are water soluble or insoluble. That is relying upon the type of the related salt. The salts of sodium, other alkali metals and ammonia are soluble, though the salts of polyvalent cations such as calcium are water insoluble except for magnesium. The polymer of alginate itself is anionic which is negatively charged.
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Theoritically, as the concentration of sodium alginate increases, the diffusion ability of the substrate into the beads will be decreased. This is because to more cross-linking at higher concentrations with more calcium binding sites. That is the reason why beads at high concentration appear bright white in color. At lowest concentration of sodium alginate, immobilization effectiveness will be higher. However, the gel at lowest concentration cannot withstand wear tear and very fragile. Several variable influences the immobilization yield in alginate bead which are concentrations of sodium alginate, calcium chloride and curing time. The shape of beads perfectly spherical is due to high viscosity at higher concentrations vice versa at lower concentrations. The droplet fall easier into the CaCl2 solution when at lower concentrations compared to the high concentrations of sodium