TABLE I.

The Hydration and Stiffness of Unmodified and Oxidized Alginate Gels

Gel type	Mean Hydration (± S.E.M.)	Mean Compressive Modulus (± S.E.M.)
1.2% (w/v) calcium alginate	2.84 ± 0.10	147.02 ± 1.11
2% oxidised 1.2% (w/v) calcium alginate	3.28 ± 0.24	141.21 ± 0.59
5% oxidised 1.2% (w/v) calcium alginate	3.34 ± 0.22	115.17 ± 2.18

Data points represent at least 3 (± S.E.M.) individual measurements of dry and wet weights of gels used to calculate hydration. Data points for compressive moduli (stiffness) represent 10 (± S.E.M.) individual measurements.