This makes that the diffusion of the Caþ2 from the beads produces
the gelification of a second alginate layer on the bead surface. After
that, the beads were washed with distilled water and left to harden
for 30 min into a solution of CaCl2 (3% w/v). Finally, the beads were
washed with a solution of NaCl (0.7%. w/v) (Enayatzamir et al.,
2010). Alginate beads were produced under sterile conditions and
hence, all the solutions involved were autoclaved until used.