Rehydration of dried alginate gel beads: Effect of the presence of gelatin and gum arabic

► We study the effect of gelatin and gum arabic on the rehydration of Ca2+-alginate gel beads. ► The presence of gelatin and gum arabic improves the swelling of alginate gel beads. ► Phase separation influences the swelling of alginate gel beads. ► Gelatin and gum arabic reduce side-by-side aggregation of the egg-box structures in alginate gels.