Encapsulation In Alginate Beads Research Articles

Alginate Beads with Encapsulated Bioactive Substances from Mangifera indica Peels as Promising Peroral Delivery Systems.

Since various bioactive substances are unstable and can degrade in the gastrointestinal tract, their stabilization is crucial. This study aimed to encapsulate mango peel extract (MPE) into edible alginate beads using the ionotropic gelation method for the potential oral delivery of bioactive substances. Mango peels, generally discarded and environmentally harmful, are rich in health-promoting bioactive substances. The alginate beads were examined for entrapment efficiency, particle size, morphology, thermal stability, physiochemical interactions, release profile under gastrointestinal conditions, and antibacterial efficacy. The study demonstrated the successful encapsulation of MPE with an efficiency of 63.1%. The in vitro release study showed the stability of the alginate beads in simulated gastric fluid with a maximum release of 45.0%, and sustained, almost complete release (99.4%) in simulated intestinal fluid, indicating successful absorption into the human body. In both fluids, the MPE release followed first-order kinetics. Encapsulation successfully maintained the antibacterial properties of MPE, with significant inhibitory activity against pathogenic intestinal bacteria. This is the first study on MPE encapsulation in alginate beads, presenting a promising oral delivery system for high-added-value applications in the food industry for dietary supplements, functional foods, or food additives. Their production is sustainable and economical, utilizing waste material and reducing environmental pollution.

The effect of physical stability and modified gastrointestinal tract behaviour of resveratrol-loaded NLCs encapsulated alginate beads.

Nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) have low storage and gastrointestinal stability, limiting their applicability. The work aimed to elevate the stability and behaviour of NLC in the alimentary tract by creating an alginate bead. Through the extrusion dropping procedure, Resveratrol (RES)-loaded NLC were efficiently integrated into alginate beads. The incorporation had no significant impact on the particle size, morphology, or inner structure of NLC, as assessed using DLS (Dynamic Light Scattering), SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and FT-IR (Fourier Transform Infra-Red). Incorporating NLC into alginate beads improves its physical stability compared to dispersion of NLC as well as NLC-Sol. An in vitro release investigation found that the NLC-alginate beads released RES more slowly than optimized NLC formulation (RES-NLCs-opt) and NLC-alginate sol. Research on simulated in vitro digestive models revealed that just a small amount of integrated NLC may permeate stomach fluid due to its tiny size. The slow diffusion of NLC from alginate to intestinal fluid prevented aggregation and allowed for gentle hydrolysis of the lipid matrix. Incorporating NLC in alginate beads shows promise for improving stability, modifying gastrointestinal behaviour, and controlling release throughout the process of digestion.

Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes Encapsulated Alginate Beads for the Removal of Mercury Ions: Design, Synthesis, Density Functional Theory Calculation, and Demonstration in a Batch and Fixed-Bed Process.

Various nanomaterials have been envisaged mainly through batch studies for environmental remediation application. The real utilization of these new generation adsorbents in large scale pose a difficulty due to its low density and small size which makes it difficult for isolation after application. In this context, nanoadsorbents polymer composite beads can be seen as a way out. Here, functionalized CNTs (carbon nanotubes) have been fabricated into micro beads with sodium alginate. The alginate-functionalized CNT (Alg-f-CNT) beads were then comprehensively evaluated for batch and fixed-bed column separation of divalent mercury ions from an aqueous medium. The effects of process parameters such as pH, contact time, feed Hg2+ concentration, and temperature were studied. Simulation of the experimental data suggested that adsorption is an endothermic spontaneous process which follows the pseudo-second-order kinetic and Langmuir isotherm model. The desorption of the Hg2+ ion from used adsorbent was possible with 1 M HNO3. The breakthrough curves at different process parameters were investigated during fixed-bed column separation and found to be in good agreement with Thomas model. The regeneration and reusability of the adsorbent were tested up to five cycles without a significant decrease in the removal performance. Density functional theory studies revealed stronger interaction of Alg-f-CNT with Hg compared to free alginic acid and established the role of carboxyl and oxo groups present in the adsorbent in the coordination of the Hg2+ ions. The experimental results demonstrate that functionalized CNT-encapsulated alginate beads are a promising alternate material, which can be used to remove mercury in the fixed-bed column mode of the operation.

Preparation and evaluation of tomato juice encapsulated alginate beads

Preparation and evaluation of tomato juice encapsulated alginate beads

Magnetic-Particle-Encapsulated Alginate Beads for Aqueous-Based Bacteria Culturing and Manipulation

Active sorting of bacteria has shown great potential in revealing the huge biodiversity of various microbial communities. Droplet microfluidics offer a powerful tool for bacteria culturing and sorting. However, most traditional sorting methods fail to work in all-aqueous droplet microfluidic systems, due to the similar dielectric constants between aqueous solutions. This drawback hinders the application of droplet microfluidic in bacteria screening. Magnetic manipulation is a good candidate to overcome this hurdle, since it can provide relatively long-range, non-contact force regardless of the dielectric properties of the solutions. In this article, Fe <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">3</sub> O <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">4</sub> magnetic nanoparticles (Fe <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">3</sub> O <sub xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">4</sub> MNPs) encapsulated alginate beads containing bacteria were generated. The capsules can be manipulated using an external magnetic field, making it possible for effective sorting after culturing. The generation of the alginate capsules under different conditions was systematically studied. The experiments showed that the bacteria-laden capsules can be manipulated using magnetic field. Bacteria culturing demonstrated that bacteria can be raised inside the alginate beads, verifying the feasibility of the proposed technique.

Viability and infectivity of Ceratobasidium encapsulated in alginate beads under different storage conditions

Mycorrhizal fungi are important partners of orchids because they establish close symbiotic relationships with this group of plants, and its preservation is also important for the successful conservation of orchids. In the present study, the conservation of Ceratobasidium sp., a fungal symbiont, using encapsulation in alginate beads was tested over different times, temperatures of storage and dehydrated conditions. Osmotically dehydrated and air-dried beads were stored at room temperature (20 ± 2°C), 4°C, -20°C and - 80°C. The fungal growth was verified after 4, 8, 26 and 96 weeks. A second test was carried out to evaluate the encapsulations of fungi as a form of inoculation in Trichoceros antennifer orchid to promote symbiosis and plants development. The results show that the encapsulation of Ceratobasidium in alginate beads is a viable strategy for its conservation, the beads are of easy manipulation and promote plant growth when inoculated in plant substrate. These results may be adopted as part of effective conservation strategies for mycorrhizal fungi and orchids.

Lead biosorption by magnetic Pisum sativum peel biocomposite using experimental design

ABSTRACT The Pisum sativum has been used as a magnetic biocomposite biosorbent for the removal of lead ions from aqueous solutions. These biocomposites were prepared with encapsulated alginate beads into calcium chloride solution, Pisum sativum peel powder and iron (II–III) oxide. Properties of surface and the possible binding sites of the material were evaluated by instrumental analysis using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy-attenuated total reflection, scanning electron microscope, and X-ray diffraction. Scanning electron microscopy–energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and mapping techniques are also used for evaluation of process. Optimisation of biosorption procedure was done by Plackett–Burman factorial design including parameters such as biocomposite amount, pH, temperature and extraction time. The analytical performance of the biosorption method, application to industrial effluent, the reusability and stability of biosorbent were also investigated. The Pisum sativum magnetic biocomposite adsorbed 90 ± 4% of lead at the optimum pH value 4 and 125 mg biocomposite amount. The best-fitting isotherm model is Freundlich and theoretical capacity of biosorbent was calculated as 74.05 mg/g. The report of magnetic Pisum sativum biocomposite as a biosorbent may be used as natural renewable resources and reduces the adverse effects on water contaminated for lead.

Immunocytochemistry Analysis of HepG2 Cell 3D Culture Encapsulated as Spheroids in Alginate Beads.

3D Cell culture is an alternative to animal use in many drug development and toxicity studies. The 3D cell culture can mimic and reproduce the original tissue microenvironment, morphology, and mechanical and physiological characteristics, to provide a more realistic and reliable response as compared to two-dimensional cultures. 3D cell culture encapsulated in alginate beads is a very simple and relatively inexpensive tool that is easy to handle and to maintain. The alginate beads function as a scaffold that imprisons cells and allows 3D cell growth, to generate spheroids that can have greater genic expression and cell-cell communication as a nano or microtissue. The HepG2 cell line is a human hepatocellular carcinoma cell derivative. HepG2 cells preserve several of the characteristics of hepatocytes and are therefore often used in toxicity studies. Here, we describe HepG2 cell encapsulation in alginate beads and analyze the resulting spheroids formed within the alginate beads by immunocytochemistry, by staining a certain structure with a specific antibody coupled with a fluorophore. This method preserves the beads and enables cell analysis by confocal microscopy.

Anti-Streptococcus mutans and anti-biofilm activities of dextranase and its encapsulation in alginate beads for application in toothpaste.

BackgroundThe accumulation of plaque causes oral diseases. Dental plaque is formed on teeth surfaces by oral bacterial pathogens, particularly Streptococcus mutans, in the oral cavity. Dextranase is one of the enzymes involved in antiplaque accumulation as it can prevent dental caries by the degradation of dextran, which is a component of plaque biofilm. This led to the idea of creating toothpaste containing dextranase for preventing oral diseases. However, the dextranase enzyme must be stable in the product; therefore, encapsulation is an attractive way to increase the stability of this enzyme.MethodsThe activity of food-grade fungal dextranase was measured on the basis of increasing ratio of reducing sugar concentration, determined by the reaction with 3, 5-dinitrosalicylic acid reagent. The efficiency of the dextranase enzyme was investigated based on its minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) against biofilm formation by S. mutans ATCC 25175. Box-Behnken design (BBD) was used to study the three factors affecting encapsulation: pH, calcium chloride concentration, and sodium alginate concentration. Encapsulation efficiency (% EE) and the activity of dextranase enzyme trapped in alginate beads were determined. Then, the encapsulated dextranase in alginate beads was added to toothpaste base, and the stability of the enzyme was examined. Finally, sensory test and safety evaluation of toothpaste containing encapsulated dextranase were done.ResultsThe highest activity of the dextranase enzyme was 4401.71 unit/g at a pH of 6 and 37 °C. The dextranase at its MIC (4.5 unit/g) showed strong inhibition against the growth of S. mutans. This enzyme at 1/2 MIC also showed a remarkable decrease in biofilm formation by S. mutans. The most effective condition of dextranase encapsulation was at a pH of 7, 20% w/v calcium chloride and 0.85% w/v sodium alginate. Toothpaste containing encapsulated dextranase alginate beads produced under suitable condition was stable after 3 months of storage, while the sensory test of the product was accepted at level 3 (like slightly), and it was safe.ConclusionThis research achieved an alternative health product for oral care by formulating toothpaste with dextranase encapsulated in effective alginate beads to act against cariogenic bacteria, like S. mutants, by preventing dental plaque.

Oregano essential oil encapsulated in alginate beads: Release kinetics as affected by electrostatic interaction with whey proteins and freeze‐drying

Considering the antimicrobial effect of oregano essential oil, this work aimed to investigate the influence of its encapsulation in alginate beads, subjected or not to electrostatic interaction with whey proteins, wet or freeze dried, in the oil release kinetics in liquid medium simulating a meat marinating solution. Alginate beads presented loading and retention capacity between 64.19%–78.64% and 57.58%–73.26%, respectively. Freeze-drying resulted in shrunk and irregular shaped particles, with higher polydispersity in size distribution, increasing release rates. Swelling studies revealed that freeze-dried beads rapidly attained similar particle sizes of wet beads. Electrostatic interaction with proteins caused a slight reduction in porosity of freeze-dried beads and a slowdown effect on the release kinetics. The power law model showed good fittings to experimental release profiles and the model exponent values in the range of 0.29 to 0.33 indicated that oil release occurred mainly by Fickian diffusion. Practical applications This study shows the influence of coating and freeze-drying processes in the release kinetics of encapsulated oregano essential oil. The alginate beads present high amounts of oregano essential oil and, therefore, can be used as a natural antimicrobial. It is important to know the influence of these processes on alginate beads with encapsulated oregano essential oil, because these factors affect its release profile, reducing or extending its effect. Knowing the behavior of these beads in liquid medium simulating a meat marinating solution after these processes is very important in order to ensure a longer release kinetic, thus improving the effect of oregano essential oil, especially during its release, and enabling its use in food industry.

Improving Nitrate Fertilization by Encapsulating Zn-Al Layered Double Hydroxides in Alginate Beads

Layered double hydroxides (LDH) are anionic clays that have potential as slow-release fertilizers; however, their formulation as powders makes them difficult to apply, and their slow-release properties are impaired due to instability under acidic conditions. In the work reported, Zn-Al LDH containing interlayered 15NO3− was synthesized for use as powder (LDH-N) or for encapsulation in alginate beads (LDH-AN), and then authenticated by X-ray diffraction, attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and elemental analyses. The two LDHs were compared to K15NO3 for evaluating their slow-release properties through (i) a kinetic study of NO3− release in water under dynamic conditions, and (ii) a growth chamber experiment designed to estimate fertilizer N uptake efficiency (FNUE) by growing pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) on an acidic Oxisol in the absence of N losses. Both LDH materials exhibited slow-release properties in the kinetic studies, and NO3− release was reduced for LDH-AN as compared to LDH-N. Because of these properties, FNUE measurements in the growth chamber experiment should have been lower with the LDHs than with K15NO3, but this was not the case for LDH-N, which was attributed to the structural instability of powdered LDH in the presence of soil acidity and to the exchange of NO3− by more competitive anions such as CO32−. A significant decrease in FNUE was observed for LDH-AN, demonstrating retention of slow-release behavior that most likely resulted from the presence of a physicochemical barrier having high cation-exchange and buffering capacities while limiting exposure to soil acidity and anion exchange. Alginate encapsulation expands the practical potential of LDH for slow-release NO3− fertilization.

Synthesis of quercetin-encapsulated alginate beads with their antioxidant and release kinetic studies

In this present study, different forms of quercetin encapsulated beads were synthesized, namely ionic cross-linked gel beads and cryogel beads. Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectra of the beads were used to characterize and prove quercetin encapsulation in alginate beads. Swelling and drying profiles were studied. Besides, release kinetics of quercetin molecules from gel beads and cryogels were carefully investigated in two different solvent/media; dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and Roswell Park Memorial Institute Medium (RPMI-1640). Based upon the release kinetic studies, it is found that quercetin release from alginate cryogel beads fits the first-order release model in DMSO and it depends on the concentration of quercetin in the beads. The release of quercetin from alginate gel beads was described by the Higuchi release model, which highlights the release of quercetin molecules through the pores of the matrix. In RPMI-1640, the release of quercetin from both forms of alginate beads fits zero-order release model and it indicates a constant release of quercetin per unit time. Finally, the radical scavenging activity of the quercetin quantities was tested by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) test, and successful results were obtained compared to reference material.

Microencapsulation of black seed oil in alginate beads for stability and taste masking

Black seed oil (BSO) has several therapeutic benefits, mostly owing to its active ingredient thymoquinone (TQ). BSO's unpleasant taste and unavailability of dosage form suitable for children nictitate the need for a new formulation. This study aimed to encapsulate BSO in alginate beads for TQ stabilisation and taste masking. Microencapsulation was performed using an electrospray technique where the flow rate and high voltage were studied using 32 full factorial design. The response variables were the size and shape of the beads and the encapsulation efficiency. TQ stability was studied using HPLC, while taste masking was evaluated in healthy human volunteers. Also, BSO was completely encapsulated in spherical beads. It was found that the high voltage and flow rate had significant effects on beads size. Furthermore, TQ in BSO-alginate beads was more stable than TQ in an aqueous solution and the original BSO. The palatability study showed significant improvement in BSO palatability following encapsulation. Therefore, this study suggests that BSO palatability can be improved without reducing TQ stability by encapsulation in alginate beads.

Recovery of humic acids from anaerobic sewage sludge: Extraction, characterization and encapsulation in alginate beads

Wastewater production is rising all over the world and one of the most difficult problems is the disposal of sewage sludge (SS). It is known that SS contains certain quantities of added-value compounds, such as humic acids (HA) which in turn have beneficial effects on soil quality and plant growth. On the other hand, SS can retain many pollutants, such as heavy metals. The present work aimed to implement an HA alkaline extraction protocol from anaerobic sewage sludge (ASS). Subsequently, the HA were quantified in ASS, in HA extract and in commercial HA, used as a benchmark, which gave results of 12.53%, 26.87% and 77.87% (on dry matter basis), respectively. FESEM and EDX analyses on lyophilized HA extract confirmed that no heavy metals had passed into the extract. Afterwards, in order to allow controlled release of the HA in soils, alginate beads containing the HA extract were created. Finally, a pot experiment in a greenhouse was performed using Chilean lettuce plants (Lactuca sativa L.) treated with alginate-HA extract beads. At the end of the greenhouse experiments, the hypogean dry biomass of the treated plants was significantly higher than for non-treated plants. The relevance of this study relies not only on the exploitation of green chemistry principles, by converting a waste stream into a high-value product, but also on the application of an approach following a circular economy model.

Synergistic interactions in dilute aqueous solutions between alginate and tropical vegetal hydrocolloids

Encapsulation in alginate beads has always been limited by the leakage due to the too wide distribution of pore sizes. Mixing alginate with other polymers have sometimes reduced the problem. Hydrocolloids from seven tropical vegetal species (barks of Triumfetta cordifolia and Bridelia thermifolia, seeds of Irvingia gabonensis and Beilschmiedia obscura, and leaves of Ceratotheca sesamoides, Adansonia digitata and Corchorus olitorius) were screened for synergistic interactions with alginate in dilute aqueous solution. Mixtures with alginate were made at different volume proportions and deviations from the initial viscosity set at 1 were evaluated. In distilled water, the gums from T. cordifolia, B. obscura, C. sesamoides and C. olitorius presented synergies with alginate. In 2 mM calcium chloride, the seven gums showed positive synergy. Interactions are favored by gum flexibility and the presence of charges, although high charges reduced the interactions. Alginate fraction of maximum viscosity enhancement depends on the ability to conformational order of the gum. The measure by laser diffraction of alginate-gum particles sizes at different fractions showed that the cooperative interactions did not always involve the largest complexes formed in gums associations. The occurrence of these interactions predicts the formation of homogeneous mixed gels at higher polymer and calcium concentrations.

Quality Maintenance of Beef Burger Patties by Direct Addiction or Encapsulation of a Prickly Pear Fruit Extract.

Beef burger patties are a very perishable food product with a maximum shelf life of 3 days at 4°C, due to a fast decrease of quality parameters and microbial growth. Although some additives listed in the Regulation EU 601 (2014) are allowed in fresh minced beef and meat preparations with antioxidant functionality, no additive with antimicrobial activity is permitted. In this study, a prickly pear extract (PPE) was added to beef burger patty formulations both by direct application and encapsulation in alginate beads. Beef burger patties were evaluated during refrigerated storage (up to 8 days at 4°C) in terms of microbial quality, pH, texture, and color variation. At the end of storage, burger samples incorporating PPE and encapsulated PPE showed significantly (p < 0.05) lower values of mesophilic bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, and Pseudomonas spp. when compared to control samples added with sterile distilled water (SDW) or encapsulated SDW. Samples added with encapsulated PPE showed the smallest variations of color a* values (red) during the considered storage period, followed by samples added with PPE, suggesting a protective effect of the extract toward the myoglobin oxidation process. In addition, textural parameters (hardness, cohesiveness, and springiness) reached the highest levels, after 8 days of storage, in burger samples added both with PPE and encapsulated PPE, supporting the potentiality of PPE, encapsulated or not into alginate beads, to be used as a natural preservative of beef burger patty formulations for maintaining quality parameters.

Encapsulation in alginate beads prolongs mesenchymal stem cell longevity in vivo but does not enchance their therapeutic efficacy in a murine model for osteoarthritis

Encapsulation in alginate beads prolongs mesenchymal stem cell longevity in vivo but does not enchance their therapeutic efficacy in a murine model for osteoarthritis

Hydrothermal assisted magnetic nano-hydroxyapatite encapsulated alginate beads for efficient Cr(VI) uptake from water

The biopolymer, alginate can be made into various usable forms like beads, membrane and candle for the development of water technology. In the present study, an attempt has been made to prepare the alginate in an usable bead form. Here, magnetic nano-hydroxyapatite encapsulated alginate beads (Fe3O4@n-HApAlg) were synthesized by hydrothermal method for selective chromium removal. The synthesized Fe3O4@n-HApAlg beads have enhanced chromium sorptive capacity (SC) of 29.14 mg/g than the individual components. The synthesized materials were characterized by various instrumental techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) isotherm studies. The Cr(VI) sorptive mechanism of Fe3O4@n-HApAlg beads were interpreted by electrostatic attraction. Sorption behavior of the magnetic beads was explained using Freundlich, Langmuir and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) isotherms. The thermodynamic studies indicate the spontaneous and endothermic nature of Cr(VI) sorption. In the kinetic data demonstration, pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, intra particle diffusion and particle diffusion models were employed. The reusability of Fe3O4@n-HApAlg beads was carried out using NaOH eluent and they can be used upto five cycles. The magnetic alginate hybrid beads showed the promising results against the chromium contaminated groundwater by removing Cr(VI) ions below the tolerance limit.

Encapsulation of extract prepared from irradiated onion scales in alginate beads: a potential functional food ingredient

Onion scales were irradiated and the effects of irradiation on their bioactive properties were studied. The antioxidant and antibacterial activities of extract prepared from irradiated onion scales (upto 6 kGy) were comparable to the extract prepared from non-irradiated onion scales. OSE (0–6%) were encapsulated in 2% alginate beads. The beads containing 6% OSE had the highest a* and the lowest L* values as compared to neat beads that were prepared without OSE. The size of the beads reduced significantly from 2.42 mm (0% OSE) to 2.05 mm (6% OSE). The moisture content of neat (0% OSE) beads was 95.94% as compared to 93.86% in beads incorporated with 6% OSE. Alginate beads containing 6% OSE had the maximum swelling capacity. On basis of DPPH radical scavenging antioxidant assay it was observed that alginate beads containing 6% OSE showed the maximum antioxidant activity. In simulated gastric and intestinal fluid, the antioxidant activity of the beads containing OSE was retained. Irradiated minced chicken muscles containing 6% OSE alginate beads had lower TBARS value (2.0 mg MDA kg−1 meat) as compared to 3.3 mg MDA kg−1 meat for irradiated meat with 0% OSE. There was significant difference (almost 2 log cycle reduction) in the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas fluorescens in chicken muscle during chilled storage when OSE encapsulated beads were incorporated. Hence, irradiation of onion scales and its encapsulation in alginate beads has a great potential as a functional ingredient in various food products.

Mammalian Cell Encapsulation in Alginate Beads Using a Simple Stirred Vessel.

Cell encapsulation in alginate beads has been used for immobilized cell culture in vitro as well as for immunoisolation in vivo. Pancreatic islet encapsulation has been studied extensively as a means to increase islet survival in allogeneic or xenogeneic transplants. Alginate encapsulation is commonly achieved by nozzle extrusion and external gelation. Using this method, cell-containing alginate droplets formed at the tip of nozzles fall into a solution containing divalent cations that cause ionotropic alginate gelation as they diffuse into the droplets. The requirement for droplet formation at the nozzle tip limits the volumetric throughput and alginate concentration that can be achieved. This video describes a scalable emulsification method to encapsulate mammalian cells in 0.5% to 10% alginate with 70% to 90% cell survival. By this alternative method, alginate droplets containing cells and calcium carbonate are emulsified in mineral oil, followed by a decrease in pH leading to internal calcium release and ionotropic alginate gelation. The current method allows the production of alginate beads within 20 min of emulsification. The equipment required for the encapsulation step consists in simple stirred vessels available to most laboratories.