Obtaining Hyaluronic Acid from Fish: An Evaluation of Extraction Methods

The production of hyaluronic acid (HA) from aquatic animals is a safer alternative to extract HA from terrestrial organisms since the former are less susceptible to epidemics. This approach offers a sustainable solution for using waste generated by the fish production chain. This study aimed to review articles published in the PubMed, Embase, and Scopus databases, highlighting methods for extracting HA from fish waste. After analysis, seven articles were selected that address extraction methods, the residual parts used, and their respective yields. Current research aims to optimize the yield and quality of HA and explore its potential. The development of techniques for extracting and purifying HA from fish residues/waste has the potential to contribute to environmental sustainability and the economic use of these biomaterials, standing out as a promising alternative in the cosmetics and biomedical industries. The conversion of fish by-products, which are often discarded and cause environmental pollution, into high-value HA embodies the principles of the circular economy, reduces waste and lowers production costs compared with conventional extraction methods. This approach also creates new revenue streams for the fishing industry and meets the growing global demand for sustainable biopolymers used in skincare, controlled-release pharmaceuticals, tissue engineering and medicine.