Isolation and properties of acid- and pepsin-soluble collagen from the skin of blacktip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus)

Acid-soluble collagen (ASC) and pepsin-soluble collagen (PSC) from the skin of blacktip shark (Carcharhinus limbatus) were isolated and characterized. The yield of ASC (20.01%) was much higher than that of PSC isolated from the residue of ASC extraction (0.86%). Both collagens had protein as their major constituent with the trace amounts of ash and fat. Based on protein patterns and TOYOPEARL(A (R)) CM-650M column chromatography, both collagens contained alpha- and beta-chains as their main components and were characterized as type I collagen with the cross-link of alpha 2-chain. Similar peptide maps of both collagens, digested by either V8 protease or lysyl endopeptidase, were observed but they were totally different from those of type I collagen from calf skin hydrolyzed by the same enzyme. Thermal transition temperature (T (max)) of ASC and PSC were 34.23 and 34.37 A degrees C, respectively. Fourier-transform infrared spectra suggested that both collagens were in triple-helical structure. From zeta potential analysis, isoelectric points (pI) of ASC and PSC were estimated to be 6.78 and 7.02, respectively. Thus, blacktip shark skin may serve as an alternative source of collagen and acid solubilization process could be implemented with ease and high yield.