A simple and scalable two step method for the preparation of loaded calcium alginate fine powder was developed. Spray-dryer was used to prepare sodium alginate particles and all the spraying parameters were studied to optimize the powder characteristics. The particles were gelified successively by external gelation in a calcium chloride solution. Two model active pharmaceutical ingredients were encapsulated in alginate particles (i.e., bacitracin and bovine serum albumin). The obtained powders show the suitable characteristics for pulmonary drug delivery. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.