Ultrasound-Assisted Decalcification Process Optimizationof Carapace of Chinese Soft-shelled Turtle and Biochemical Characterization of Collagen

In order to determine the technological conditions for decalcification of the carapace from the Chinese soft-shelled turtle(Pelodiscus sinensis), the decalcification conditions were optimized under ultrasonic assisted treatment with hydrochloric acid as a decalcifying agent. The decalcification rate and collagen migration rate were employed as evaluation indicators to investigate the effects of six factors including hydrochloric acid concentration, material-to-liquid ratio, decalcified time, decalcified temperature, working time of ultrasonic gap and ultrasonic power. In basis of optimized single factors, the Box-Behnken design in the response surface was used to optimize the process conditions of turtle carapace decalcification and establish a mathematical model. The effects of ultrasound-assisted decalcification process on the structural properties of collagen were investigated through biochemical character such as Ultraviolet spectrum scanning, SDS-PAGE spectrum, Fourier infrared scanning, amino acid analy