Effect of the gelation process on the production of alginate microbeads by microfluidic chip technology.

Capretto, Lorenzo; Mazzitelli, Stefania; Balestra, Cosimo; Tosi, Azzura; Nastruzzi, Claudio · Lab Chip · 2008

basic_science · Level V

Where this comes from

Abstract

The present paper reports the production of Ba-alginate microspheres by microfluidic chip technology. The general production strategy is based on the formation of an alginate multiphase flow by a 'Y' junction squeezing mechanism. Special emphasis is given to the relationship existing between the gelation process and the final morphological characteristics of the produced microbeads. A series of different gelation strategies, namely: 'external gelation', 'internal gelation' and 'partial gelation' were compared in terms of size, size distribution and morphology of the produced microbeads.

Medical subject headings