Marine collagen peptides

Marine collagen peptides are produced by enzymatic hydrolysis of Type I collagen extracted from fish skin and scales, drawn from filleting and surimi by-product streams rather than a dedicated catch. Indian supply covers both farmed species handled commercially as fish collagen, such as tilapia, pangasius and rohu, and marine finfish trimmings. The species is named on every certificate because buyers in the EU and the United States must carry that name through onto their own finished label. Assay runs above 94% protein on dry matter by Kjeldahl N x 5.55, with average peptide size of 1,000–3,000 Da measured by the viscosity method. Fish collagen is not simply bovine collagen from a different animal. It carries less hydroxyproline, with cod skin collagen measured at about 39 hydroxyproline residues per 1,000 against a markedly higher degree of proline hydroxylation in bovine collagen, and its denaturation temperature is correspondingly lower. That is why marine raw material extracts under gentler conditions and why suppliers pitch the low-molecular-weight cuts hardest. In the pack it handles like its bovine counterpart: cold-water soluble, zero Bloom, viscosity around 2.0 mPa·s at 10% and turbidity under 50 FTU, so it stays clear in still and sparkling drinks. The one variable to plan around is odour, and deodorised grades are the norm for beauty drinks and unflavoured sachets. Allergen handling is the commercial difference that matters most. Fish is a declarable allergen under EU Regulation 1169/2011 Annex II and under US FALCPA, and the narrow Annex II carve-outs, fish gelatine used as a carrier for vitamin or carotenoid preparations and fish gelatine or isinglass used as a fining agent in beer and wine, do not extend to collagen peptides sold as a protein ingredient. It must be declared. The material suits pescatarian positioning, contains no bovine or porcine input, is halal-friendly, and can be kosher pareve where the source species has fins and scales. Export sits at ITC-HS 35040010 under DGFT Schedule 2 entry 173, which names marine-origin collagen peptides explicitly; EU consignments need a CAPEXIL Shipment Clearance Certificate and health certification, with the Export Inspection Council acting as India's notified competent authority for fishery products.