Effect of body weight on the chemical composition and collagen content of snakehead fish Channa striata skin

Snakehead fish (Channa striata) skin is a fishery by-product that has the potential for further processing because it contains a high amount of organic matter. This study investigates the effect of body weight on the chemical composition and collagen content of snakehead fish skin. This study used fresh snakehead fish of either gender. Their body weights were divided into three groups: small, medium, and large size. The characteristics of snakehead fish skin included proximate composition, amino acid content, collagen content, microstructure, and minerals. Snakehead fish skin from fish of different body weights indicated that the moisture content and ash tended to decrease, the protein content was relatively stable, and the lipid content tended to increase with increasing body weight. Glycine and proline comprised the highest percentages of amino acids at all levels of body weight, and the presence of hydroxyproline showed that snakehead fish skin was the source of collagen. There was no significant difference in body weight observed on collagen protein content of the skin. This study on the microstructure and mineral content of snakehead fish skin can be used as supporting information to promote the potential utility and economic value of the skin.