Preparation of alginate hydrogel microparticles using droplet-based microfluidics: a review of methods

TL;DR

This review discusses droplet-based microfluidic methods for producing alginate hydrogel microparticles, highlighting techniques, control over particle properties, and recent advancements in the field.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of strategies and parameters influencing alginate hydrogel microparticle fabrication via droplet microfluidics.

Findings

Various microfluidic strategies for alginate microparticle production

Control over size, shape, and stability of microparticles

Insights into mechanical properties and process optimization

Abstract

This review focuses on a microparticle-producing technique widely used for its efficacy in controlling physicochemical properties: droplet-based microfluidics. The review describes the various strategies applied under this technique, and the size, shape, concentration, stability and mechanical properties of the alginate hydrogel microparticles obtained.