Abstract: Alginate fibre is one of well recognised bio-polymer fibres. Its raw material (sodium alginate) is extracted from brown seaweed. The fiber has a very good biocompatibility, forms gels on contacting with wound fluid through ion exchanges, and has a good moisture absorption and retention capacities. There have been a large body of researches and reports on this material over the past decades. In this paper, the authors reviewed the history of the alginate fiber, compared the strength and the weakness of the material and discussed the applications and limitations of the technology. In particular, the authors summarized the developments of alginate fiber as an advanced wound dressing. The authors therefore have made suggestions regarding the further development needs of alginate fiber and it technologies in general textile applications and in medical applications.

Key words: textile material, alginate fiber, alginate fiber wound dressing, bio-polymer fiber