Fabrication Challenges and trends in biomedical applications of alginate electrospun nanofibers

•The challenges and solutions of alginate electrospinning were reviewed for the first time.•High density of intra- and intermolecular hydrogen bonding restricts alginate electrospinnability.•Alginate electrospinnability can be improved by blending with carrier polymers.•Electrospinning of alginate can be dramatically facilitated through chemical modifications.•Alginate nanofibers can be used in tissue engineering and drug delivery systems.