Effects of coacervation acidity on the genipin crosslinking action and intestine-targeted delivery potency of the O-carboxymethyl chitosan-gum arabic coacervates

O-carboxymethyl chitosan (O-CMC)-gum arabic (GA) coacervates separated in different acidities were crosslinked by genipin and subjected to FTIR analysis, viscoelasticity measurement, DSC characterization, pH response evaluation, and in vitro BSA release profiling to explore the influence of coacervation acidity on genipin crosslinking and intestine-targeted delivery potency of the coacervates. Genipin crosslinking greatly improved the stability of the coacervates against various simulated gastrointestinal fluids and the coacervation acidity exerted different effects on the pH response of coacervates and BSA-loaded microcapsules. It was concluded that genipin-crosslinked O-CMC-GA coacervates could be used to deliver hydrophobic compounds to the intestine.