Abstract
Acid-solubilized collagen (ASC) and pepsin-solubilized collagen (PSC) were extracted from the seaweed pipefish (Syngnathus schlegeli) and partially characterized. The amount of collagens isolated in the subsequent treatments was 5.5% of ASC and 33.2% PSC on the basis of lyophilized pipefish body weight, respectively. According to the electrophoretic pattern and CM-cellulose column chromatogram, the collagens might be classified as type I collagens, containing alpha 1 and alpha 2 chain. The imino acid content of collagen from pipefish was lower than those of mammalian collagens as also were the denaturation temperatures (Td) of collagens were 34.8 degrees C and 35.1 degrees C, respectively. This study shows that there is a possibility to use pipefish collagen as the alternative source of collagen from industrial purposes and subsequently it may evaluate the economical value of the seaweed pipefish. (C) KSBB