Structural phases in Ca 2+ -triggered alginate assembly and gelation: circular dichroism-guided multimodal analysis

Key Points

• To explore how calcium ions influence the assembly and gelation of sodium alginate.
• Utilized circular dichroism for structural analysis.
• Employed Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy to investigate molecular interactions.
• Analyzed gelation behavior with small-angle X-ray scattering.
• Evaluated morphological properties using atomic force microscopy.
• Calcium ions significantly enhance sodium alginate gelation.
• CD analysis indicated structural changes in alginate upon calcium binding.
• FTIR revealed shifts in molecular vibrations, suggesting new interactions.
• SAXS showed alterations in gel morphology.