How can genipin assist gelatin/carbohydrate chitosan scaffolds to act as replacements of load-bearing soft tissues?

In the engineering of soft tissues, designing the scaffolds with adequate strength and controllable biodegradation properties are essential. To fulfill such design criteria gelatin/carbohydrate chitosan (G/CC) scaffolds have gained much attention in engineering replacement of soft tissues. In this research, the influence of different cross-linking methods and parameters with genipin on the physico-chemical properties of G/CC scaffolds was investigated in detail. The scaffolds with different concentrations of G and CC were prepared and cross-linked trough two different methods, and the impact of cross-linker concentration beside of cross-linking time and temperature were fully analyzed. The obtained results suggested that the 1% genipin-cross-linked G60/CC40 scaffolds, prepared at room temperature for 24 h through scaffold cross-linking method, could be a promising replacement in missing segments of load-bearing soft tissues. This article describes a systematic study of genipin cross-linking effects on G/CC scaffolds.

► A systematic study of genipin cross-linking effects on G/CC scaffolds is presented. ► The properties of CC scaffolds are improved by addition of gelatin and genipin. ► Cross-linking with genipin can effectively enhance the stability of the scaffolds. ► The porosity and pore size originally depend on the cross-linking methods. ► Scaffold-cross-linking method shows the most suitable physico-chemical behavior. ► The G60/CC40 scaffolds cross-linked with 1% genipin exhibit excellent properties.