Marine Collagen–Chitosan Composite from Fishery By-Products for Wound Dressing: Characterization and Antibacterial Activity
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48048/tis.2026.13021Keywords:
Fishery by-product utilization, Marine collagen–chitosan composite, Acid-soluble collagen, Antibacterial biomaterials, Wound dressing materialsAbstract
Fishery by-products represent a sustainable source of marine biomaterials with significant potential for wound dressing applications. This study investigates a marine collagen–chitosan composite derived from Spanish mackerel skin and blue swimming crab shells as a candidate wound dressing material, with a focus on structural characterization and antibacterial activity. Acid-soluble collagen (ASC) was extracted through alkaline pretreatment followed by acetic acid hydrolysis, yielding 3.125%, and the freeze-dried product exhibited a porous white morphology with well-preserved amide bands. SEM–EDX analysis revealed a distinct transformation from the dense dermal matrix of raw skin to a layered ASC structure dominated by carbon and oxygen elements, indicating improved collagen purity. Chitosan obtained from blue swimming crab shells achieved a 19.3% yield, moderate viscosity (65.3 mPa·s), and a high degree of deacetylation (92.57%). FTIR and EDX characterization confirmed the successful removal of acetyl groups and a substantial reduction in mineral elements. Antibacterial assays demonstrated that pure chitosan exhibited inhibitory activity against Escherichia coli (18.23 ± 0.20 mm) and Staphylococcus aureus (15.80 ± 1.65 mm), while collagen–chitosan composites retained activity against E. coli but showed reduced effectiveness against S. aureus. These results demonstrate the feasibility of utilizing locally derived marine collagen and chitosan as a composite biomaterial, with antibacterial performance influenced by chitosan proportion and requiring further formulation optimization.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Marine by-products were valorized into collagen and chitosan, providing a sustainable source for biomaterial development.
- The extracted chitosan exhibited a high degree of deacetylation (92.57%), enhancing its functional and antimicrobial potential.
- A porous fibrillar collagen structure with preserved functional groups was observed, supporting its suitability for wound dressing applications.
- Pure chitosan exhibited effective antibacterial activity, particularly against coli.
- Collagen–chitosan composites showed reduced antibacterial performance, highlighting the need for formulation optimization.
GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
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