Optimization of the Electrospraying Parameters for Formulation of Biopolymeric Microcapsules

There has been a surge in applying alginate microcapsules in diverse fields due to the numerous advantages of their non-toxicity, simple synthesis, and mechanical and chemical stability. Electrospraying is a simple and excellent technique for producing small microcapsules. This study aimed to analyse the trends in the operational parameters of the electrospraying technique, observed extreme conditions of the electrospraying, and selected the best performing parameters for producing small and spherical microcapsules. Alginate concentration was found to produce smaller microcapsules when kept at a minimum. However, the Implosion of microcapsules formed with less than 2%w/v alginate concentration was observed. Voltage increment produced smaller capsules, and fibre formation began at 21kV. Lower feed rates favoured both smaller microcapsules and better sphericity. Reduction in the needle orifice also favoured the formation of smaller microcapsules with less sphericity. Overall, a needle gauge of 27G, a voltage of 21kV, a flowrate of 0.5ml/h, and 2% w/v calcium chloride concentration were the best parameter combinations for producing small and spherical microcapsules.