Preparation of BSA loaded mixed gel beads

BSA loaded alginate-chitosan mixed PEC beads were prepared by the same method described in Section 11.2.2.1, just replacing the alginate-PBQ with alginate (low viscosity). 

After preparing the BSA loaded beads, the gelling medium solution was collected, and the BSA content in the gelling medium (calcium chloride solution) was determined as the BSA loss. The amount of BSA entrapped into the beads was determined by UV spectroscopy at 280 nm. The BSA to polymer ratio (%, w/w) was expressed as the BSA loading content, i.e., the mass of BSA encapsulated in the beads divided by the mass of polymers used (alginate and chitosan). 

The BSA loading content and loading efficiency (Pasparakis and Bouropoulos, 2006 Yu et al., 2009) are calculated as follows  

Mass of BSA encapsulated in beads Mass of polymers in beads 

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