Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics Research Group

Papers in Scientific Journals

Extraction and Characterization of Collagen from Elasmobranch Byproducts for Potential Biomaterial Use

Abstract

With the worldwide increase of fisheries, fish wastes have had a similar increase, alternatively
they can be seen as a source of novel substances for the improvement of society’s wellbeing.
Elasmobranchs are a subclass fished in high amounts, with some species being mainly bycatch.
They possess an endoskeleton composed mainly by cartilage, from which chondroitin sulfate is
currently obtained. Their use as a viable source for extraction of type II collagen has been hypothesized
with the envisaging of a biomedical application, namely in biomaterials production. In the present
work, raw cartilage from shark (Prionace glauca) and ray (Zeachara chilensis and Bathyraja brachyurops)
was obtained from a fish processing company and submitted to acidic and enzymatic extractions,
to produce acid-soluble collagen (ASC) and pepsin-soluble collagen (PSC). From all the extractions,
P. glauca PSC had the highest yield (3.5%), followed by ray ASC (0.92%), ray PSC (0.50%), and P. glauca
ASC (0.15%). All the extracts showed similar properties, with the SDS-PAGE profiles being compatible
with the presence of both type I and type II collagens. Moreover, the collagen extracts exhibited the
competence to maintain their conformation at human basal temperature, presenting a denaturation
temperature higher than 3 C. Hydrogels were produced using P. glauca PSC combined with
shark chondroitin sulfate, with the objective of mimicking the human cartilage extracellular matrix.
These hydrogels were cohesive and structurally-stable at 37 C, with rheological measurements
exhibiting a conformation of an elastic solid when submitted to shear strain with a frequency up to 4 Hz.
This work revealed a sustainable strategy for the valorization of fisheries’ by-products, within the
concept of a circular economy, consisting of the use of P. glauca, Z. chilensis, and B. brachyurops cartilage
for the extraction of collagen, which would be further employed in the development of hydrogels as a
proof of concept of its biotechnological potential, ultimately envisaging its use in marine biomaterials
to regenerate damaged cartilaginous tissues.

Journal
Marine Drugs
Volume
18
Issue
617
ISSN
660-3397
URL
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-3397/18/12/617
Keywords
cartilage, elasmobranch byproducts, hydrogel, marine biomaterials, marine collagen, Tissue engineering
Rights
Open Access
Peer Reviewed
Yes
Status
published
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