Calcium alginate is a biopolymer that can be used for developing oral drug-delivery systems[1]. Calcium alginate is a pH sensitive hydrogel stable in acidic media and soluble in basic media[2].
Calcium alginate is a pH sensitive hydrogel stable in acidic media and soluble in basic media. This enables the hydrogel to absorb and release aqueous solutions at certain ranges of pH values. By absorbing an aqueous solution containing a drug, an active drug release can be triggered at a specified range of pH value[2]. Calcium alginate is a biodegradable gel-transforming agent widely used for nasal packing. It can reduce pain and improve comfort[3].
[1]. Demitri C, et al. Encapsulation of Lactobacillus kefiri in alginate microbeads using a double novel aerosol technique. Mater Sci Eng C Mater Biol Appl. 2017;77:548-555.
[2]. Chengzhi Hu, et al. Electrosynthesis of magnetoresponsive microrobot for targeted drug delivery using calcium alginate. Annu Int Conf IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2016;2016:2111-2114.
[3]. Park DY, et al. Comparison of calcium alginate and carboxymethyl cellulose for nasal packing after endoscopic sinus surgery: a prospective, randomised, controlled single-blinded trial. Clin Otolaryngol. 2016;41(3):234-240.