Methods for the preparation of hydrogels using lipase enzymes

摘要

The present invention relates to an improved method for preparing hydrogels, such as alginate hydrogels. The hydrogels of the present invention is in particular useful for immobilization and preservation of biological material, such as cellular material, e.g. spermatozoa.

主权项

1. A method for preparation of an alginate hydrogel, comprising mixing a first solution comprising a hydrolase with a second solution comprising a substrate hydrolysable by the hydrolase, wherein the first solution comprising said hydrolase or the second solution comprising said substrate comprises alginate and a divalent cation releasing compound, wherein the mixing causes hydrolysis of the substrate by the hydrolase to produce H3O+ and reaction of the H3O+ with the divalent cation releasing compound to release divalent cations which initiate gelling of the mixture, and
gelling the mixture to provide the alginate hydrogel.