Preparation of networks of gelatin and genipin as degradable biomaterials

The aim of this study is to prepare networks of Bloom number 300 gelatin and genipin as degradable biomaterials. The cross-linking ability of genipin on gelatin was studied and discs were made from the genipin-fixed gelatin. The swelling ratio, the degree of cross-linking, and the rate of degradation of the discs were measured using ninhydrin assay and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) experiments. The results indicated that genipin is a good cross-linker for the gelatin. Additionally, varying the concentration of genipin can control the rate of degradation and the degree of cross-linking of the genipin-fixed gelatin. Finally, the concentration of genipin should exceed 0.5% of the overall weight of the gelatin-based material if a complete cross-linking reaction between gelatin and genipin molecules is required. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.