Characteristics and chemical composition of skins gelatin from cobia (Rachycentron canadum)

Gelatin was obtained from cobia (Rachycentron canadum) skins, which is an important commercial species for marine fish aquaculture, and it was compared with gelatin from croaker (Micropogonias furnieri) skins, using the same extraction methodology (alkaline/acid pre-treatments). Cobia skins gelatin showed values of protein yield, gelatin yield, gel strength, melting point, gelling point and viscosity higher than the values found from croaker skins gelatin. The values of turbidity and Hue angle for cobia and croaker gelatins were 403 and 74 NTU, and 84.8° and 87.3°, respectively. Spectra in the infrared region had the major absorption band in the amide region for both gelatins, but it showed some differences in the spectra. The proline and hydroxyproline contents from cobia skins gelatin (205 residues/1000 residues) was higher than from croaker skins gelatin (188 residues/1000 residues). SDS-PAGE of both gelatins showed a similar molecular weight distribution to that of standard collagen type I. Therefore, cobia skins could be used as a potential marine source of gelatin obtainment for application in diversified industrial fields. •Gelatin was obtained from cobia skins, and it was compared with gelatin from croaker.•Cobia (Rachycentron canadum) is an important commercial species of the marine aquaculture.•Cobia gelatin showed yield and gel properties higher than croaker gelatin.•The amino acids content in cobia gelatin was higher than in croaker gelatin.•Cobia skins showed as a source of gelatin obtainment for industrial application.