Optimization of calcium alginate beads production by electrospray using response surface methodology

Preparing the alginate hydrogel beads with desired size and enough mechanical strength is the main aim in biomedical application. Such beads were produced from the viscid alginate solution using electrospray method. In a recent study, the combined effects of different parameters on calcium alginate beads production were studied using response surface methodology. A 2(4) full-factorial central composite design was chosen to explain four parameters, viz. concentration of polymer, nozzle diameter, flow rate, and voltage. The small p-value (<0.0001) and large t-value (-16.611) of the coefficient for the linear effect of voltage showed that this independent variable has the greatest effect on calcium alginate beads production. It was found that interactions among the nozzle diameter and other variables were not significant. The optimum values of test variables for production of alginate beads with minimum radius were determined as; 10 g l(-1) alginate concentration, 1 mm nozzle diameter, 20 ml h(-1) flow rate, and 9000 v voltage. At these conditions, the experimental and predicted values of beads radius are 0.2945 and 0.3 mm, respectively, reveals the accuracy of the developed model.