Figure 1.

Working and setting time. (a) Injection of the hydrogel precursors directly above the magnetic stir bar. (b) As in the previous stage, the mixed solution keeps liquid flowing as the magnetic stir bar rotates. (c) Working time (wT) was registered when the first lump outline appeared, and the magnetic stir bar showed a slight impediment to turning. (d) Setting time (sT) was registered when the hydrogel formed a solid globule that prevented the normal rotation of the magnetic bar. (e) Graphic representation of the wT and sT obtained for the control and HAPL hydrogels. Values represent the mean ± SD of 5 tests. Symbols (***) denote study groups with statistically significant difference p < 0.0001.