*2.2. Coating Solution Preparation*

Calcium chloride salt was used in the study due to its effect as a firming agent and high-water solubility. Distilled water was used to prepare the coating solutions of 2% (*w*/*w*) sodium alginate (Sigma, Oakville, ON, Canada) and 2% (*w*/*w*) calcium chloride (Sigma, Oakville, ON, Canada). To prepare the sodium alginate coating solution, sodium alginate powder was added to distilled water and the beaker was placed on a magnetic stirring rod at 300 rpm with no heat until the sodium alginate powder was completely dissolved at room temperature. To prepare the calcium chloride solution, calcium chloride salts were added in a volumetric flask with distilled water and shaken to completely dissolve the salt.
