Marine‐Derived Type I Collagen From Scyliorhinus canicula : Extraction, Characterization, and Biomedical Applications

Marine‐derived biomaterials have attracted increasing interest as sustainable and biocompatible alternatives to terrestrial sources. In this study, type I collagen (Coll‐I) was extracted from the skin of Scyliorhinus canicula using an acid‐solubilization method, 7.08% ± 0.11% collagen on a dry‐weight basis. The extracted collagen was characterized through structural, thermal, and morphological analyses. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of the lyophilized collagen revealed its thermal behavior, showing an irreversible endothermic transition at approximately 81°C, associated with dehydration‐related structural rearrangements and a high‐temperature thermal event around 203°C, corresponding to the onset of degradation processes. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed a characteristic lamellar morphology. Biocompatibility assays confirmed the absence of cytotoxic effects on dermal cells. Coll‐I significantly enhanced fibroblast migration, achieving wound closure rates of 98% ± 1.6% and 81.99% ± 1.6% at 25 and 12.5 μg/mL, respectively. It also reduced lipopolysaccharide‐induced nitric oxide production in primary macrophages and exhibited anti‐melanogenic activity by decreasing tyrosinase activity and intracellular melanin content. These findings highlight the potential of S. canicula ‐derived collagen as a multifunctional marine biomaterial for wound‐healing and dermocosmetic applications.