Fabrication of silk sericin/alginate microparticles by electrohydrodynamic spraying technique for the controlled release of silk sericin

• Sericin/alginate microparticles were successfully formed by electrospraying technique.
• The injectable microparticles with a size range of 264–284 μm were obtained.
• The microparticles could entrap silk sericin upto 84–89% entrapment efficiency.
• The rate-controlled release of silk sericin of microparticles was achieved.
• The microparticles are promising carriers for the controlled release of silk sericin.

Silk sericin has been recently investigated for many biological roles. This study aimed to develop the new delivery system to control the release of silk sericin. The alginate microparticles encapsulating silk sericin were fabricated by electrospraying technique. Concentrations of silk sericin and alginate polyelectrolyte solutions were investigated. All microparticles had an average size of 264–284 μm and could entrap silk sericin with high entrapment efficiency (84–89%). The microparticles could deliver silk sericin in a rate-controlled manner. This study would show a promising controlled release application of silk sericin protein from alginate microparticles fabricated by the means of electrostatic forces.