The polymerization mixture was transferred into test tubes, TEMED was added and, after sealing, the hydrogels were refrigerated at −18 °C for 24 h to form ice crystals that template the macropores of the hydrogel. After polymerization, the hydrogel were left for 4 h, at room temperature to thaw the ice. Then, hydrogels were cut (capsules form) and washed several times with phosphate buffer (0.1 M, pH 7.0) and stored at 4 °C in buffer solution. Hydrogels without yeast were also synthesized, under the same conditions, in order to use it as a standard of comparison in the characterization of these materials.