Effect of genipin, a naturally occurring crosslinker on the properties of kappa-carrageenan.

Genipin-fixed kappa-carrageenan was prepared in ambient conditions in aqueous solution using genipin, a naturally occurring crosslinker with kappa-carrageenan (kappaC). The crosslinked kappaC showed the greatest swelling capacity in acidic medium having pH 1.2 when compared to those in neutral and alkaline media. Enhanced stability of the crosslinked product with respect to the non-modified kappaC was confirmed by degradation studies in Ringer's solution, rheological and thermogravimetric measurements. Genipin fixation of kappaC was confirmed by measuring the bulk density, true density, pore volume, porosity, intrinsic viscosity, UV absorbance and optical rotation of the crosslinked kappaC, and as well as by optical microscopy, SEM, and MS/MS studies. The crosslinked product may be useful as super absorbent and sustained release formulation in biomedical applications.