The strength of furcellaran gels is greatly dependent upon the type and concentration of cation. From the decrease in firmness, the following scale of efficiency follows: K+ Ca2+≫Na+ . The dependence of firmness on salt (KCl and CaCl2) concentration in gel beads formed by dropping an
8% w/w furcellaran solution into different salt solutions is shown in Fig. 2. Both KCl and CaCl2 were suitable for bead formation. Firmness enhancement has been registered with both
KCl and CaCl2 ascending concentration being more remarkable in KCl solutions. The diameter of the beads formed by using CaCl2 solution (mean 4.47 ± 0.17 mm) was slightly smaller than
with KCl (mean 4.74 ± 0.18 mm). The critical concentration necessary to form beads was 0.5 M for KCl solution and 0.9 M for CaCl2 solution. Under above mentioned concentration levels
flake like particles were formed. The hardest and most spherical beads were obtained by dripping 8% w/w furcellaran dispersion into 1.3 M KCl solution.