An efficient preparation of chondroitin sulfate and collagen peptides from shark cartilage

Chondroitin sulfate and collagen peptides were extracted with highest yield from shark cartilage under the following conditions: milling for 6 min; proteolysis with neutrase at 45oC for 5 h; enzyme to substrate ratio of 1800 U/g; solvent to material ratio of 10 mL/g. They were then separated on a column of DEAE-Sepharose Fast-flow. Most chondroitin sulfate (88.4% of total) and collagen peptides (78.3% of total) were recovered. The peptides were characterized by predominance of glycine, proline and hydroxyproline which made up around half of the total amino acid content, and their molecular weights were more than 1000 Da, but less than 4186.6 Da. The method has several advantages for higher quality of chondroitin sulfate, low environmental impact and recovery of collagen peptides.