The predominant sources of collagen for cosmetic purposes have traditionally been derived from cattle and pig products. However, these sources are gradually decreasing in popularity due to their limited availability, religious constraints, and disease concerns.
Marine species offer a promising and sustainable supply of alternative collagen sources. The objective of this study is to explore potential sources of collagen from discarded marine resources (fish, porifera, mollusks, crustaceans, echinoderms, and coelenterates).
The study found that fish by-products, particularly skins and bones, are becoming a very encouraging source of sustainable collagen compared to other alternatives. They have significant collagen content, up to 61.26 percent of their dry weight by the acid-soluble collagen (ASC) extraction method.
Collagen derived from fish skin and bones is mainly composed of type I collagen and has been shown to possess remarkable abilities as antioxidants, anti-aging and are a good skin whitening agent.
Therefore, the use of marine collagen as a key ingredient in cosmetics promotes responsible sourcing, encourages eco-friendly practices, and promotes the circular economy by making the best use of waste marine materials.
Prajaputra et al., 2024; South African Journal of Chemical Engineering, 41,1