Hydrolysed collagen from Lates calcarifer skin: its acute toxicity and impact on cell proliferation and collagen production of fibroblasts

Summary Acute toxicity in Wistar rat and the impact of hydrolysed collagen ( HC ) from seabass skin on in vitro cell proliferation and collagen production were studied using L929 fibroblasts. HC was rich in glycine (326 residue/1000 residue) and imino acids (196 residue/1000 residue). MALDI mass spectrum of HC showed several low MW peptides with MW range of 1050–1330 Da as the major components. Based on acute oral cytotoxicity test in Wistar rat, HC was considered as safe with LD 50 value higher than 5000 mg kg −1 body. HC could promote L929 cell growth, especially when used in combination with vitamin C (VitC) at a ratio of 2:1. HC /VitC (2:1) mixture also exhibited the higher enhancement effect on collagen production of L929 cells, compared with HC or VitC alone. Thus, HC could be a promising candidate for biological applications, especially in combination with VitC, as nutraceuticals for skin care.