793
5
when compared with the blank beads. This might be because of the presence of the charged AgNPs
inside the beads which can cause a higher electrical force and then result in smaller beads [9,13].
a
b
Figure 1
Morphology and size of the beads
Morphology and size of blank beads (a) and the calcium alginate beads containing AgNPs (b) were determined using the
optical microscope.
2. Water loss
The water loss (%) from the beads is shown in Figure 2. The water loss (%) was 97.16±0.48 and
97.49±0.28 % for the blank beads and the beads containing AgNPs, respectively. No significant
difference in the water loss (%) between both beads was observed (
Q
>0.05). Therefore, the water loss
of these prepared beads was higher than 97%. Previous study has shown that calcium alginate beads,
which were dried at room temperature for 48 h, showed the weight loss of 95%, and their diameter
was reduced from 3 mm at the wet state to 1.3 mm at the dry state [12].
Figure 2
Water loss (%) of the beads
Water loss (%; mean ± S.D.) of blank beads and calcium alginate beads containing AgNPs was carried out after they were
dried at room temperature for 24 h. No significant difference between both beads was observed at
Q
<0.05 using an
independent-samples T test.
3. Swelling study
Blank beads Beads containing AgNPs
0
20
40
60
80
100
Water loss (%)
