Alginate and Its Application to Tissue Engineering

Alginate, a naturally derived polysaccharide, was noted for its biocompatibility, gel-forming ability, non-toxicity, biodegradability, and ease of processing, making it highly suitable for biomedical applications such as drug delivery, wound healing, and tissue engineering. Sodium alginate and its derivatives, including oxidized alginate, were used in creating 3D scaffolding materials like hydrogels, microcapsules, and fibers, which were particularly effective in tissue healing, bone injury repair, cartilage treatment, and cell growth scaffolds. Alginate's properties could be enhanced through physical and chemical modifications, resulting in improved mechanical strength and cell affinity, making it an attractive material for tissue engineering applications.