What is Marine Collagen?

by Joshua Soll

Another Ingredient You May Come Across in Your Products

Even though marine collagen is not derived from sharks, we do get this question a lot. Hydrolyzed marine collagen is a protein derived from the collagen tissues of marine fish. The collagen tissues, which include the bones, scales, and skin of marine fish, makes up approximately 30% of marine fish processing waste (Wang et al. 2008). This is a process that maximizes the use of fish ingredients to reduce overall marine waste while creating a product that may serve benefits to humans. Once marine collagen is removed from the fish, it undergoes a process called hydrolysis, the act of using water to break something down, which is intended to split the collagen into smaller protein subunits, called collagen peptides. This is where the term “hydrolyzed marine collagen” comes from.

This marine collagen is used mainly as a food supplement to support skin and gut health, promote bone strength and density, among other effects. Hydrolyzed marine collagen does not appear to be derived from sharks, as other fish used for food such as cod, redfish, or snapper are targeted.