Abstract

This study proceeds to extract collagen from the skin of Rutilus kutum, one of the main and economical species of the Caspian Sea. Acid-soluble collagen (ASC) from the skin of R. kutum was extracted and characterized by SDS-PAGE, FTIR and UV spectrophotometry. Based on the data from the SDS-PAGE and the composition of amino acid, it was probable that the obtained collagen classified as type I collagen. Collagen consists of two different types of a chains, including alpha(1) and alpha(2), and beta components. Also, FTIR analysis revealed the presence of the helical arrangements of the collagen. Moreover, UV spectrophotometry exhibited this collagen has an absorbance at 220 nm. On the basis of dry weight, the yield of ASC was calculated as 15.6. The amount of proline in ASC was 89.6 residues per 706.1 residues, and 25.7 of the collagen was composed of glycine. These results showed that R. Kutum skin could be considered as a possible source of collagen and can supply the theoretical basis for further research.