State-of-the-art of 3D printing technology of alginate-based hydrogels—An emerging technique for industrial applications

Recently, three-dimensional (3D) printing (also known as additive manufacturing) has received unprecedented consideration in various fields owing to many advantages compared to conventional manufacturing equipment such as reduced fabrication time, one-step production, and the ability for rapid prototyping. This promising technology, as the next manufacturing revolution and universal industrial method, allows the user to fabricate desired 3D objects using a layer-by-layer deposition of material and a 3D printer. Alginate, a versatile polysaccharide derived from seaweed, is popularly used for this advanced bio-fabrication technique due to its printability, biodegradability, biocompatibility, excellent availability, low degree of toxicity, being a relatively inexpensive, rapid gelation in the presence of Ca2+ divalent, and having fascinating chemical structure. In recent years, 3D printed alginate-based hydrogels have been prepared and used in various fields including tissue engineering, water treatment, food, electronics, and so forth. Due to the prominent role of 3D printed alginate-based materials in diverse fields. So, this review will focus and highlight the latest and most up-to-date achievements in the field of 3D printed alginate-based materials in biomedical, food, water treatment, and electronics. [Display omitted] •State-of-the-art applications of 3D printed alginate-based materials•The role of alginate-based bioinks for the removal of contaminants from wastewater•The utilization of the 3D printed alginate-based materials in the food industry•Fabrication of 3D printed scaffolds based on alginate bioink for tissue regeneration•Employing of 3D printed alginate for preparation magnetic electrodes