Evaluation of the Potential of Collagen from Codfish Skin as a Biomaterial for Biomedical Applications

Collagen is one of the most widely used biomaterials, not only due its biocompatibility,
biodegradability and weak antigenic potential, but also due to its role in the structure and function of
tissues. Searching for alternative collagen sources, the aim of this study was to extract collagen from
the skin of codfish, previously obtained as a by-product of fish industrial plants, and characterize
it regarding its use as a biomaterial for biomedical application, according to American Society for
Testing and Materials (ASTM) Guidelines. Collagen type I with a high degree of purity was obtained
through acid-extraction, as confirmed by colorimetric assays, SDS-PAGE and amino acid composition.
Thermal analysis revealed a denaturing temperature around 16 C. Moreover, collagen showed a
concentration-dependent effect in metabolism and on cell adhesion of lung fibroblast MRC-5 cells.
In conclusion, this study shows that collagen can be obtained from marine-origin sources, while
preserving its bioactivity, supporting its use in biomedical applications.