Stabilization of gelatin films by crosslinking with genipin

The possibility to stabilize gelatin films by crosslinking with genipin was investigated through a mechanical, chemical and thermal characterization of samples treated with genipin solutions at different concentrations. The extent of crosslinking, evaluated as difference between the number of free a-amino groups before and after crosslinking, increases as a function of genipin concentration up to about 85%. Simultaneously, the deformability of the films decreases whereas the Young's modulus E, increases. Furthermore, crosslinking provokes a significant reduction of the swelling in physiological solution, and enhances the thermal stability of the samples, as indicated by the results of the d.s.c. investigation. The data obtained from the films treated with genipin at concentrations higher than 0.67% are quite similar, and indicative of a good stabilizing effect of genipin. In spite of the small gelatin release (2%) observed after I month of storage in buffer solution, the mechanical, thermal and swelling properties of the films are very close to those previously obtained for glutaraldehyde crosslinked gelatin, and suggest that genipin, which is by far less cytotoxic, can be considered a valid alternative for crosslinking gelatin biomaterials. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.