Biochemical and Microstructural Characteristics of Collagen Biopolymer from Unicornfish (<i>Naso reticulatus</i> Randall, 2001) Bone Prepared with Various Acid Types

Biopolymer-like collagen has great industrial potential in terms of its excellent properties, such as strong biocompatibility, high degradability, and low antigenicity. Collagen derived from fish by-products is preferable as it is safer (free from transmittable diseases) and acceptable to most religious beliefs. This study aimed to characterize the unicornfish (Naso reticulatus Randall, 2001) bone collagens prepared with different type of acids, i.e., acetic acid, lactic acid, and citric acid. A higher yield (Y) (p Tmax = 33.34–33.51 °C). A higher relative solubility (RS) of the unicornfish bone collagens was observed at low salt concentration (0–10 g/L) (RS > 80%) and at acidic condition (pH 1.0 to pH 3.0) (RS > 75%). The extracted collagen samples had an irregular and dense flake structure with random coiled filaments. Overall, bones of unicornfish may be used as a substitute source of collagen