ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of modification of acellular bovine pericardium with 1-ethyl-3-(3-dinethylami-nopropyl) carbodimide (EDC)/N-hydroxysuccininide (NHS) or genipin and find out the best crosslinking reagent. MethodsThe cellular components of the bovine pericardiums were removed. The effects of decellularization were tested by HE staining. The acellular bovine pericardiums were crosslinked with EDC/NHS (EDC/NHS group) or genipin (genipin group). The properties of the crosslinked acellular matrix were evaluated by scanning electron microscope (SEM), matrix thickness, crosslinking index, mechanical property, denaturation temperature, enzymatic degradation, and cytotoxicity test before and after the crosslinking. Acellular bovine pericardium (ABP group) or normal bovine pericardium (control group) were harvested as controls. ResultsSEM showed that collagen fibers were reticulated in bovine pericardial tissues after crosslinked by EDC/NHS or genipin, and relative aperture of the collagen fiber was from 10 to 20 μm. The thickness and denaturation temperature of the scaffolds were increased significantly after crosslinking with EDC/NHS or genipin (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference between EDC/NHS group and genipin group (P>0.05). The difference had no statistical significance in crosslinking index between EDC/NHS group and genipin group (t=0.205, P=0.218). The degradation rate in EDC/NHS group and genipin group was significantly lower than that in ABP group and control group (P<0.05). Elastic modulus and fracture stress in EDC/NHS group and genipin group were significantly lower than those in ABP group (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference among EDC/NHS group, genipin group, and control group (P>0.05). The break elongation in EDC/NHS group and genipin group were significantly increased than those in ABP group and control group (P<0.05). The difference had no statistical significance in stability and mechanical properties between EDC/NHS group and genipin group (P>0.05). Cytotoxicity of genipin crosslinked tissue (grade 1) were much lower than that of EDC/NHS (grade 2) at 5 days. ConclusionAcellular bovine pericardium crosslinked with genipin has better biocompatibility than EDC/NHS.