Collagen is a structural protein that is the main building block of the extracellular matrix of skin, ligaments and cartilage. It represents 25% to 35% of all proteins in the body. Collagen biosynthesis takes place in fibroblasts. Collagen can be isolated from various sources. Collagen derived from mammals is the most commonly used. The use of collagen of animal origin is associated with certain risks, for example the transmission of (fatal) diseases such as swine flu and bovine spongiform encephalotopathy. Additional restrictions on use may also be related to religious or cultural reasons. For the aforementioned reasons, scientists began to look for alternative sources of collagen. We focused on collagen derived from marine sources.
Marine collagen can be isolated from fish remains such as scales and bones, which are abundant due to widespread fishing. The sustainable aspect of this type of collagen production is also important, as in this way we recycle discarded waste into a source of biomaterial that can be used in the fields of pharmacy, medicine and cosmetics.
As part of the diploma thesis, we studied 44 cosmetic products containing collagen from marine sources. We investigated the use and prevalence of collagen of marine origin in cosmetic products available on the Slovenian market. We did a review of clinical studies of marine collagen and hydrolyzed marine collagen, which examined the effect of the latter on the condition of the skin. A review of the cited studies showed a positive effect of oral consumption of hydrolyzed collagen on the reduction of visible signs of aging. The positive effects of collagen have also been proven in dermal application. We were also interested in the safety of marine collagen. A review of studies on the safety of marine collagen showed that it is safe to use, but more caution is needed in users with fish allergies.
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