Collagens from Marine Organisms towards Biomedical Applications

Collagen is the main fibrous structural protein in the extracellular matrix and connective tissue of animals. It is a primary building block of bones, tendons, skin, hair, nails, cartilage, and all joints in the body. It is also considered a "glue" that holds the body together. In this regard, it receives great attention in healthcare and wellbeing, both as a functional ingredient in different formulations and as a component of several products, such as medical devices and pharmaceutical systems. The production of collagen begins to slow down, and cell structures start losing their strength as we get older, and supplementing with collagen is being explored as a vital way to help our body revive and stay youthful. Indeed, a wide range of products comprising collagen (or collagen hydrolysates, in most cases) can be found, such as lotions, creams, face masks and even nutraceuticals. On the other hand, collagen-based biomedical materials have also been developed, with important and clinically effective materials gaining wide acceptance.