This study investigated the effects of atomization at low air-to-liquid mass flow rate ratios View the MathML source mair/mliq on the size, size distribution and shape of the calcium alginate (Ca-alginate) particles produced. It was found that the View the MathML source mair/mliq ratio must be greater than 0.0011 to atomize a 20 g/L sodium alginate solution. Ca-alginate particles with a broad mean sizes ranging from 50 to 2300 μm were produced using a View the MathML source mair/mliq ratio lower than 3.5. The change in particle size was most significant when the View the MathML source mair/mliq ratio was below a critical value 0.25. An increase in the View the MathML source mair/mliq ratio decreased the mean particle size but increased the particle size distribution. The particles became more spherical with an increase in the View the MathML source mair/mliq ratio.