Cross-linking chitosan with genipin

Kaminski et al. (2008) prepared chitosan microspheres for heparin removal. Heparin is a highly sulfated GAG polysaccharide with excellent anticoagulant activity. This drug is frequently used, but presents several side-effects therefore after heparin has exerted its activity, it is often necessary to remove it from the blood. Microspheres were synthesized by cross-linking chitosan with genipin by inverse emulsion polymerization. For pH values below 6.5, the microspheres swelled considerably and at pH above 6.5 they shrank by a small extent. Chitosan microspheres bind heparin in water. The kinetics of heparin binding was found to be pH dependent and was faster... 

Mi FL, Tan YC, Liang HC et al (2001) In vitro evaluation of a chitosan membrane cross-linked with genipin. J Biomater Sci Polym Ed 12 835-850... 

Recently, a new cross-linking agent, genipin, has been reported to bind with chitosan leading to covalent coupling [38]. The cross-linking process was able to undergo in situ and... 

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