free-radical polymerization in an aqueous acrylamide
monomer solution containing the cells at low temperature.
The degree of cross-linking determines the porosity and
mechanical properties of the pellets. The major
disadvantage of the method is the toxicity of the acrylamide
monomer, the cross-linking agent (e.g.,
methylenebisacrylamide [110-26-9]), and the
polymerization initiator (e.g.,tetramethylethylenediamine
[110-18-9]) which can decrease cell viability and enzyme
activity], Hydroxyethyl methacrylate [868-77-9] .....less toxic
alternative to acrylamide
With acrylamide monomers, optimal results are achieved in
isotonic buffered solution at low temperature (4–12°C) by
keeping exposure time to a minimum (3–4min).