Swelling and thermal characteristics of genipin crosslinked chitosan and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) hydrogels

Chitosan / poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) were used to prepare semi-interpenetrating polymeric networks. The hydrogels were crosslinked using genipin, a non-toxic cross-linking agent extracted from the fruits of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis. Swelling properties of these hydrogels were studied in media of different pH's and temperatures. States of water in the swollen hydrogels at 25 degrees C and pH 7 were determined using Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). The swelling behaviour of the hydrogels was found to be dependent on the temperature and the pH of the swelling medium. The total water content in the hydrogels was found to increase with increasing PVP content.