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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #195043
Title: CHEMICAL AND PHYSICAL EVALUATION OF THE CROSSLINKING OF BOVINE HIDE COLLAGEN BY GENIPIN

Author
item DING, KEYI - VISITING SCIENTIST
item Taylor, Maryann
item Brown, Eleanor - Ellie

Submitted to: American Chemical Society National Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/17/2006
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Genipin, a derivative of the iridoid glycoside geniposide in the fruit of Gardenia jasmindides Ellis, is a naturally occurring protein crosslinking agent, which is beginning to replace glutaraldehyde as a fixative for biological tissues. In this study the potential of genipin, alone or in combination with aluminum, for use as a tanning agent on bovine hide powder and pieces of intact hide was explored. Parameters including the dosage of genipin, reaction time, pH and temperature of the tanning process were varied. Lysine crosslinks were estimated by comparing the available amine groups before and after reaction with genipin. Increased thermal stability, a typical measure of tanning effectiveness, was observed. The melting, or shrinkage temperature of 63 deg C for untreated hide powder was increased to 79 deg C for hide powder treated with 5% genipin at pH ~ 7 and 35 deg C for 24 h. Thermal stability approaching 100 deg C, the standard for chrome tanned leather, was achieved when genipin was used in combination with aluminum.