*Article* **Collagen from Cartilaginous Fish By-Products for a Potential Application in Bioactive Film Composite**

**Emna Ben Slimane 1,2 and Saloua Sadok 1,\***


Received: 2 May 2018; Accepted: 21 May 2018; Published: 15 June 2018

**Abstract:** The acid solubilised collagen (ASC) and pepsin solubilised collagen (PSC) were extracted from the by-products (skin) of a cartilaginous fish (*Mustelus mustelus*). The ASC and PSC yields were 23.07% and 35.27% dry weight, respectively and were identified as collagen Type I with the presence of α, β and γ chains. As revealed by the Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra analysis, pepsin did not alter the PSC triple helix structure. Based on the various type of collagen yield, only PSC was used in combination with chitosan to produce a composite film. Such film had lower tensile strength but higher elongation at break when compared to chitosan film; and lower water solubility and lightness when compared to collagen film. Equally, FTIR spectra analysis of film composite showed the occurrence of collagen-chitosan interaction resulting in a modification of the secondary structure of collagen. Collagen-chitosan-based biofilm showed a potential UV barrier properties and antioxidant activity, which might be used as green bioactive films to preserve nutraceutical products.

**Keywords:** cartilaginous fish by-products; collagen; chitosan; composite films; properties
