This paper presents the influence of the elastic modulus of -car
hydrogels on the spontaneous release of solvent(syneresis) at room
temperature and discusses two experimental situations. In the situation
in which the syneresis fluid is periodically removed, the gel
continuously releases its solvent until reaching the steady state.
Increasing the elasticity reduces the rate of syneresis, but elasticity
is not the only parameter that leads to dynamic equilibrium where
solvent is allowed to accumulate on the gel surfaces. It is suggested
in this study that swelling allowed the gelto reach equilibrium with
its syneresis solvent, but it is not clear what fraction of the released
solvent returns to the gel during the syneresis process. Itis shown in
this study that the main parameter controlling the syneresis properties
of the gel is the elasticity rather than the polysaccharide or
salt composition. Weak and strong gels have shown small volume
changes; the maximum volume change was found at intermediate
elasticities. The relationship between syneresis and elasticity
described in this paper provides interesting information for potential
application of kappa-carrageenan hydrogels by targeting the
elasticity rather than the composition.