Parameters affecting the isolation of collagen from squid (Illex argentinus) skins

Abstract The solubility of collagen from squid ( Illex argentinus ) skin in salt solutions and the efficiency of removal of skin chromatophores were determined. Homogenization of minced squid skin in 5–15% NaCl solution at 0°C solubilized 35–24% of total amount of crude protein and caused 2–5% loss of collagen but was not effective in removing pigments from the skin. The treatment of whole squid skins in 5–15% NaCl solutions at room temperature led to separation of the chromatophores, but the loss of soluble collagen was 57–16%. Collagen, soluble in dilute acid solutions was isolated from squid skins by 24 h soaking in 10% NaCl solution at room temperature, washing with water and bleaching for 48 h in 1% H 2 O 2 in 0.01 M NaOH. The yield of collagen was 53%. It could be increased to 90% by using NaOH solution at pH 11.5 instead of 10% NaCl but the isolate was less soluble in dilute acid and the viscosity of 0.5% dispersion of collagen was four times lower. The rancid off-odour could be prevented by adding 0.5% of a non-ionic detergent to all solution used in the procedure. ©