Marine Collagen Research
37 peer-reviewed studies · Evidence score: 7.5/10
Aquatic collagen for tissue repair: process-structure-function design from sustainable sourcing to clinical translation
Xiong X et al. • Acta biomaterialia (2026)
Published by Elsevier Inc.
- By benchmarking aquatic versus mammalian collagens and distilling design rules for printable, mineralized and antimicrobial hydrogels/bioinks, we show how waste valorization can reduce environmental burden while meeting functional demands in wound, musculoskeletal, ocular and cardiac repair.
- We also identify standardization gaps-including source variability, purity/endotoxin specifications and batch analytics-and propose practical reporting checklists to improve reproducibility and regulatory readiness.
- This review provides a mechanism-anchored, sustainability-first roadmap for translating discarded marine biomass into clinically relevant collagen materials.Copyright © 2025.
Examples of Underexploited Marine Organisms in Cosmeceutical Applications
Couteau C et al. • Marine drugs (2025)
In accordance with this imperative, algae that are capable of being cultivated are distinguished by their enhanced qualities.
- Collagen can be extracted from animal sources and used as a substitute for collagen of bovine origin.
- From a marketing perspective, it is possible to market it as 'marine collagen'.
- However, it is imperative to emphasize the significance of ensuring the sustainability of the resource.
Recent Advancements in Marine Collagen: Exploring New Sources, Processing Approaches, and Nutritional Applications
Islam J et al. • Marine drugs (2025)
Future research should focus on increasing the collagen extraction yield, improving the smell and flavor, and developing novel delivery systems to increase bioavailability and functionality.
- Hence, recent interest has propelled research in identifying novel collagen sources and advancing technologies to produce marine collagen-based products.
- The review highlights certain challenges, including unpleasant odor, flavor, color, insufficient supply, and inconsistent quality of marine collagen.
- Future research should focus on increasing the collagen extraction yield, improving the smell and flavor, and developing novel delivery systems to increase bioavailability and functionality.
Marine-Derived Collagen and Chitosan: Perspectives on Applications Using the Lens of UN SDGs and Blue Bioeconomy Strategies
Almeida M et al. • Marine drugs (2025)
The paper concludes with recommendations for fostering innovation and sustainability in the valorization of these marine resources.
- In alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we analyze how these applications contribute to sustainability, particularly in SDGs related to responsible consumption and production, good health and well-being, and life below water.
- Furthermore, we contextualize the advancement of product development using marine collagen and chitin/chitosan within the European Union's Blue bioeconomy strategies, highlighting trends in scientific research and technological innovation through bibliometric and patent data.
- Finally, the review addresses challenges facing the development of robust value chains for these marine biopolymers, including collaboration, regulatory hurdles, supply-chain constraints, policy and financial support, education and training, and the need for integrated marine resource management.
Comprehensive Review on Application Progress of Marine Collagen Cross-Linking Modification in Bone Repairs
Zhai X et al. • Marine drugs (2025)
This review examines marine collagen's modification methods, improved characteristics, and potential in bone tissue repair, providing a foundation for its effective use in bone tissue engineering.
- Marine-derived collagen, abundant and free from religious and disease transmission concerns, is a promising biomaterial in bone tissue engineering.
- Cross-linking modification can enhance its mechanical properties and degradation rate, making it more suitable for bone repair.
- However, detailed analysis of cross-linking methods, property changes post-cross-linking, and their impact on bone repair is needed.
Marine collagen bio-composites materials: Interactions with small active molecules and their application in food industry
Ahmad K et al. • International journal of biological macromolecules (2025)
Published by Elsevier B.V.
- This article also highlights recent advancements in extraction methods, physicochemical characterization, and the role of collagen-based composites in food applications, such as emulsification, stabilization, and microencapsulation.
- Furthermore, this review also summarizes the challenges related to the lower thermal stability of marine collagen compared to mammalian sources, along with potential solutions through innovative processing techniques.
- Finally, the article briefly discusses how marine collagen-based bio-composites offer promising prospects for developing functional and sustainable food products.Copyright © 2025.
From Molecules to Mind: The Critical Role of Chitosan, Collagen, Alginate, and Other Biopolymers in Neuroprotection and Neurodegeneration
Kruczkowska W et al. • Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) (2025)
This review synthesizes current knowledge and identifies promising directions for future research in biopolymer-based therapeutic strategies.
- By analyzing recent experimental studies, we evaluate the effectiveness of different biopolymer-based delivery systems in crossing the blood-brain barrier and their subsequent neuroprotective effects.
- Additionally, promising materials, including lignin, poly lactic-co-glycolic acid, and glucose-modified bovine serum albumin/procyanidin complexes, are briefly explored to provide a comprehensive overview of current developments in the field.
- Our analysis reveals that biopolymer-based approaches offer unique advantages in both neuroprotection and drug delivery, potentially opening new avenues for treating neurodegenerative conditions.
Waste-to-resource: Extraction and transformation of aquatic biomaterials for regenerative medicine
Cao H et al. • Biomaterials advances (2025)
Published by Elsevier B.V.
- As the blue economy gains momentum and fisheries expand, sustainable exploitation of these aquatic resources is increasingly prioritized.
- We discuss the inherent bioactive qualities of these "waste-to-resource" aquatic biomaterials and identify opportunities for their use in regenerative medicine to advance healthcare while achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.Copyright © 2024.
- Published by Elsevier B.V.
Unlocking the Therapeutic Potential of Marine Collagen: A Scientific Exploration for Delaying Skin Aging
Rahman A et al. • Marine drugs (2024)
Thus, by delving into these nuanced considerations, this review contributes to a comprehensive understanding of the potential and challenges associated with marine collagen in the realm of anti-aging applications.
- Furthermore, the topical application of hyaluronic acid is discussed as a mechanism to increase collagen production and skin moisture, contributing to the anti-aging effects of collagen supplementation.
- The integration of bio-tissue engineering in marine collagen applications is also explored, highlighting its proven utility in skin healing and bone regeneration applications.
- However, limitations to the scope of its application exist.
From Its Nature to Its Function: Marine-Collagen-Based-Biomaterials for Hard Tissue Applications
Diogo GS et al. • Tissue engineering. Part B, Reviews (2024)
In conclusion, this review describes the major challenges to be overcome and the forecast for the upcoming years concerning the use of MCs.
- In the second part, the applicability of MCs as biomaterials for hard tissue applications was studied, focusing on the mostly applied fabrication techniques.
- In conclusion, this review describes the major challenges to be overcome and the forecast for the upcoming years concerning the use of MCs.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Marine collagen scaffolds in tissue engineering
Liu S et al. • Current opinion in biotechnology (2022)
Published by Elsevier Ltd.
- Marine wastage accounts up to 85% by weight in the fishing industry.
- However, the properties of marine collagen-based constructs are highly dependent on the methods of fabrication.
- The potential applications of marine collagen in the regeneration of skin, bone and cartilage were also highlighted.Copyright © 2021.
Applications of marine collagens in bone tissue engineering
Lin Z et al. • Biomedical materials (Bristol, England) (2021)
Marine collagen holds great promise as a biomaterial in bone tissue engineering.
- A wide variety of marine collagen-based scaffolds have been developed for bone tissue engineering, and these scaffolds display excellent biological effects.
- Recently, researchers have shown a keen interest in collagen obtained from marine sources because of its biocompatibility, biodegradability, ease of extractability, safety, low immunogenicity, and low production costs.
- This review aims to provide an overview of the biological effects of marine collagen in bone engineering, such as promoting osteogenesis and collagen synthesis, inhibiting inflammation, inducing the differentiation of cartilage, and improving bone mineral density.
Functional roles of fish collagen peptides on bone regeneration
Yamada S et al. • Dental materials journal (2021)
It is desirable to be applied clinically through clinical study as soon as possible, based on the results from basic research.
- Furthermore, it could accelerate matrix mineralization.
- FCP may have potential utility as a biomaterial to improve collagen quality and promote mineralization through the mitogen-activated protein kinase and Smad cascades.
- However, there are few clinical studies on bone regeneration in human subjects.
Marine collagen and its derivatives: Versatile and sustainable bio-resources for healthcare
Salvatore L et al. • Materials science & engineering. C, Materials for biological applications (2020)
All rights reserved.
- Particular attention is given to the bioactive properties of marine collagen that are being explored in preclinical and clinical studies, and pave the way to an increased demand for this biomaterial in the next future.
- The marine collagen market is also briefly discussed to highlight the opportunities and the most profitable areas of interest.Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V.
- All rights reserved.
Collagen and gelatin
Liu D et al. • Annual review of food science and technology (2015)
Therefore, this review covers the current understanding of the structure, bioactivities, and biological effects of collagen, gelatin, and gelatin hydrolysates as well as their most recent applications.
- Numerous studies have investigated the bioactivities and biological effects of collagen, gelatin, and their hydrolysis peptides, using both in vitro and in vivo assay models.
- Moreover, an increasing number of novel applications have been found for collagen and gelatin.
- Further research warranted to confirm findings
Marine Collagen as A Promising Biomaterial for Biomedical Applications
Lim YS et al. • Marine drugs (2019)
Despite all the challenges, MC holds great promise as a biomaterial for developing medical products and therapeutics.
- This review focuses on the expanding role of marine collagen (MC)-based scaffolds for biomedical applications.
- A scaffold-a three-dimensional (3D) structure fabricated from biomaterials-is a key supporting element for cell attachment, growth, and maintenance in 3D cell culture and tissue engineering.
- The mechanical and biological properties of the scaffolds influence cell morphology, behavior, and function.
Facial Bone Reconstruction Using both Marine or Non-Marine Bone Substitutes: Evaluation of Current Outcomes in a Systematic Literature Review
Cicciù M et al. • Marine drugs (2018)
Marine collagen seems to favor the dimensional stability of the graft and it could be an excellent carrier for growth factors.
- Numerous discrepancies among the papers about bone defects morphology, surgical protocols, and selection of biomaterials were found.
- All selected manuscripts considered the final clinical success after the facial bone reconstruction applying bone substitutes.
- However, the scientific evidence regarding the vantage of the appliance of a biomaterial versus autologous bone still remains debated.
Chitosan and fish collagen as biomaterials for regenerative medicine
Hayashi Y et al. • Advances in food and nutrition research (2012)
All rights reserved.
- The initial inflammatory reactions associated with chitosan application to hard and soft tissues need to be controlled before it can be considered for clinical application as scaffold.
- Further, as chitosan takes too long for biodegradation in vivo, generally it is not suitable for the scaffold for degenerative medicine in especially dental pulp tissue.
- The properties of biocompatibility and biodegradation of fish atelocollagen are suitable for the scaffold in regenerative medicine.Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc.
Oral Intake of Low-Molecular-Weight Collagen Peptide Improves Hydration, Elasticity, and Wrinkling in Human Skin: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study
Kim DU et al. • Nutrients (2018)
These results suggest that LMWCP can be used as a health functional food ingredient to improve human skin hydration, elasticity, and wrinkling.
- The aim of this study was to conduct a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to clinically evaluate the effect on human skin hydration, wrinkling, and elasticity of Low-molecular-weight Collagen peptide (LMWCP) with a tripetide (Gly-X-Y) content >15% including 3% Gly-Pro-Hyp.
- After 12 weeks in the LMWCP group, visual assessment score and three parameters of skin wrinkling were significantly improved compared with the placebo group.
- In case of skin elasticity, one parameter out of three was significantly improved in the LMWCP group from the baseline after 12 weeks, while, compared with the placebo group, two parameters out of three in the LMWCP group were higher with significance after 12 weeks.
Artificial Intelligence-Based Personalization of Treatment Regimen for Hair Loss: A 6-Month Clinical Trial
Bhardwaj V et al. • Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD (2025)
J Drugs Dermatol. 2025;24(3):233-238. doi:10.36849/JDD.8611.
- Hair loss affects up to 50% of women and 80% of men.
- Of the 27 participants who completed the study, significant improvements were observed in hair growth, coverage, and thickness (P<0.001 for all).
- Hair shedding decreased by 37.3% at 12 weeks and 32.4% at 24 weeks.