The gels can be made with either a constant or
with a gradient in the alginate concentration through the
cross section of the gel bead, called homogeneous and
inhomogeneous beads, respectively. The degree of homogeneity
can easily be controlled by adjusting the concentration
and ratio of gelling to non-gelling cations in the
gelling solution. It is possible to produce an inhomogeneous
gel with a polymer concentration at the
surface being ten times higher than the concentration in
the centre [11]. Bead size, pH and ionic strength were
also considered as variables with possible influence on
the capsule formation. The charge densities on both
polymers are affected by pH, and the conformation of
chitosan in solution is dependent on ionic strength.