Structure and characteristics of acid and pepsin-solubilized collagens from the skin of cobia (Rachycentron canadum)

Acid-solubilized collagen (ASC) and pepsin-solubilized collagen (PSC) were extracted from the skin of cobia (Rachycentron canadum). The yields of ASC and PSC were 35.5% and 12.3%, respectively. Based on the protein patterns and carboxymethyl-cellulose chromatography, ASC and PSC were composed of α1α2α3 heterotrimers and were characterised as type I collagen with no disulfide bond. Their amounts of imino acids were 203 and 191 residues per 1000 residues, respectively. LC–MS/MS analysis demonstrated the high sequences similarities of ASC and PSC. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy spectra showed that the amide I, II and III peaks of PSC were obtained at a lower wave number compared with ASC. The thermal denaturation temperatures of ASC and PSC, as measured by viscometry, were 34.62 and 33.97 °C, respectively. The transition temperatures (Tmax) were 38.17 and 36.03 °C, respectively, as determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Both collagens were soluble at acidic pH and below 2% (w/v) NaCl concentration.