pectins and genipin

A 3D plotting system was used to make chitosan-based tissue scaffolds with interconnected pores using pure chitosan (C) and chitosan cross-linked with pectin (CP) and genipin (CG). A freeze-dried chitosan scaffold (CF/D) was made to compare with C, to observe the effects of structural differences. The fiber size, pore size, porosity, compression strength, swelling ratio, drug release efficacy, and cumulative weight loss of the scaffolds were measured. Osteoblasts were cultured on the scaffolds and their proliferation, type I collagen production, alkaline phosphatase activity, calcium deposition, and morphology were observed. C had a lower swelling ratio, degradation, porosity and drug release efficacy and a higher compressional stiffness and cell proliferation compared to CF/D (p < 0.05). Of the 3D-plotted samples, cells on CP exhibited the highest degree of mineralization after 21 d (p < 0.05). CP also had the highest swelling ratio and fastest drug release, followed by C and CG (p < 0.05). Both CP and CG were stiffer and degraded more slowly in saline solution than C (p < 0.05). In summary, 3D-plotted scaffolds were stronger, less likely to degrade and better promoted osteoblast cell proliferation in vitro compared to the freeze-dried scaffolds. C, CP and CG were structurally similar, and the different crosslinking caused significant changes in their physical and biological performances.

Topics: Alkaline Phosphatase; Animals; Biocompatible Materials; Bone Substitutes; Calcification, Physiologic; Cell Differentiation; Cell Line; Cell Proliferation; Chitosan; Collagen Type I; Hydrogels; Iridoids; Materials Testing; Mice; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Osteoblasts; Pectins; Porosity; Printing, Three-Dimensional; Tissue Engineering; Tissue Scaffolds

In this study, an environmentally friendly method for preparation of chitosan crosslinked membranes with different genipin concentrations (0, 125, 250, and 500 mg/L) was developed. Genipin-crosslinked chitosan membranes were used for the immobilization of fungal pectinesterase (PE). PE was efficiently immobilized in chitosan membranes and used for modification of high-methoxylated pectins into low-methoxylated pectins. The charge density (ζ-potential), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and ion-exchange chromatography (IEC) revealed the modification of pectin for immobilized PE in genipin-crosslinked chitosan membrane. The ζ-potential results indicated a decrease of -5.2 mV in the pectin control solution, whereas using the PE immobilized in chitosan and genipin-chitosan membranes, the obtained values were -30.45 mV and -36.38 mV, respectively. Genipin-crosslinked chitosan membrane jointly with the immobilized PE represents an eco-friendly support to prepare tailor-made low-methoxylated lime pectin.

Topics: Carboxylic Ester Hydrolases; Chitosan; Enzymes, Immobilized; Fungal Proteins; Iridoids; Membranes, Artificial; Pectins