Effect of concentration, pH and ionic strength on the kinetic self-assembly of acid-soluble collagen from walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) skin

The effects of concentration, pH value and ionic strength on the kinetic self-assembly of acid-soluble collagen from walleye pollock (Theragra chalcogramma) skin were investigated. A two-phase kinetic process was provided which included the formation of nucleus center and nucleus growth, the first phase being the controlled step for collagen self-assembly. Collagen showed marked assembly behavior when concentration reaching and above 0.6 mg/mL, and higher concentration could accelerate collagen self-assembly. Rate constants of the first and second assembly phase both increased with pH to a maximum around pH 7.2 and then decreased, indicating that pH 7.2 was the optimum pH value for collagen self-assembly. The kinetics of collagen self-assembly could be modulated by NaCl concentration. The concentration of NaCl from 30 to 60 mM was more suitable to self-assemble for pollock skin collagen. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.