Review Alginate microparticles for biodelivery: A review

Transplantation of microencapsulated cells, proteins and bacteria has been proposed as a therapy for a broad variety of diseases as it permits for transplantation by immunoisolation, that is, without unwanted immunosuppression. The immunoisolation technology protects foreign cells against the host immune system by a synthetic film (coat). Microencapsulation offers a mode to enclose bioactive substances within a polymeric covering for biomedical applications. The present article, offers a review of microencapsulation for the rationale of shielding the bioactive substances and releasing the enclosed substances in a controlled manner. It encompasses the chemistry of alginate and describes the properties and biomedical applications of alginate-based microparticles