Development of alginate microparticles as efficient adsorption matrix for protein recovery

•The alginate microparticles were successfully obtained by the spray drying technique.•The crosslinked process was carried out by a covalent reaction with Epichlorohydrin.•The crosslinked alginate microparticles were characterized by SEM, Zeta potential, TGA/DSC and Raman spectroscopy.•The adsorption capacity of two model proteins were studied.•The capacity of selection and recovery of crosslinked alginate microparticles was assayed.