Figures (8)  Tables (1)
    • Figure 1. 

      SEM micrographs at a magnification of ×50 of KC hydrogels.

    • Figure 2. 

      FTIR spectra of (a) KC-BR and (b) KC-AR.

    • Figure 3. 

      (a) T2 relaxation distribution curves and (b) pseudo-color MRI images of KC hydrogels.

    • Figure 4. 

      (a) Hardness, (b) cohesiveness and (c) chewiness of KC hydrogels.

    • Figure 5. 

      Rheological behavior of (a) KC-BR and (b) KC-AR during strain sweep; rheological behavior of (c) KC-BR and (d) KC-AR during frequency sweep; (e) rheological behavior of KC hydrogels during temperature sweep.

    • Figure 6. 

      Swelling ratio of KC-AR. (a) 0−10 min in solution (pH = 7). (b) 0−120 min in solution (pH = 7). (c) Solution (pH = 3). (d) Solution (pH = 11).

    • Figure 7. 

      Syneresis of (a) KC-BR and (b) KC-AR. Syneresis of (c) KC-BR and (d) KC-AR after freeze-thawing cycle.

    • Figure 8. 

      Retention of EGCG in KC hydrogels at (a) 25 °C and (b) 4 °C.

    • SampleProportion of peak area
      P1 (%)P2 (%)
      0.75% KC-BR0.11999.881
      1.00% KC-BR0.13899.862
      1.25% KC-BR0.16099.840
      1.50% KC-BR0.19499.806
      0.75% KC-AR0.24799.753
      1.00% KC-AR0.28499.716
      1.25% KC-AR0.30499.696
      1.50% KC-AR0.40999.591

      Table 1. 

      The peak area proportion of KC hydrogels.