263
© Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2015
H. Ehrlich, Biological Materials of Marine Origin, Biologically- Inspired Systems 4,
DOI 10.1007/978-94-007-5730-1_6
Chapter 6
Fish Skin: From Clothing to Tissue
Engineering
Abstract The epidermis and the dermis are two basic layers of fi sh skin. The
specifi c material properties of fi sh skin have been known since ancient times. Some
human cultures developed unique techniques to prepare fi sh leather from fi sh skin
and used this leather for clothing, shoes and homes. Another fi sh skin-based biomaterial with incredible sturdiness is known as shagreen. Additionally, some modern
approaches regarding the practical applications of fi sh scales in tissue engineering
as well as novel cultivation techniques of fi sh skin cell lines are described in
this chapter.
According to Rakers et al. ( 2011 ), “the term ‘fi sh skin’ stands for the skin from all
aquatic, non-tetrapod vertebrates with or without scales. It exhibits enormous vital
functions; including chemical and physical protection, sensory activity, or hormone
metabolism,” (Rakers et al. 2011 ). From the biomaterials point of view, skin, with
its complex structure and close association with various tissue elements, is a fi bre
reinforced, pliant composite (Wainwright et al. 1976 ) and shows variations in its
mechanical properties depending on the region of the animal body which it covers
(Muthiah et al. 1967 ). Depending on mechanical attributes, skins have been classifi ed as active or passive structures (Craig et al. 1987 ).
Defi nitively, we can accept animal skin, including that of fi sh origin, as
composite- based biological material, which is the source of the leather – a manmade material. Salmon species, sharks and rays are the main fi sh groups, which has
been used for practical applications starting in ancient times and continue to see use
today. As discussed in the previous chapter, scientists are using shark skin as a
bioinspired construct for developing new antifouling coatings for naval industry.
However, as reported previously ( http://www.rojeleather.com ) before the skins of
shark and skate found application for leather goods, the fi shermen used their exotic
skins as waste. Sometimes they has been used as the substitute material for sandpaper,
or even in boat building.
© Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2015
H. Ehrlich, Biological Materials of Marine Origin, Biologically- Inspired Systems 4,
DOI 10.1007/978-94-007-5730-1_6
Chapter 6
Fish Skin: From Clothing to Tissue
Engineering
Abstract The epidermis and the dermis are two basic layers of fi sh skin. The
specifi c material properties of fi sh skin have been known since ancient times. Some
human cultures developed unique techniques to prepare fi sh leather from fi sh skin
and used this leather for clothing, shoes and homes. Another fi sh skin-based biomaterial with incredible sturdiness is known as shagreen. Additionally, some modern
approaches regarding the practical applications of fi sh scales in tissue engineering
as well as novel cultivation techniques of fi sh skin cell lines are described in
this chapter.
According to Rakers et al. ( 2011 ), “the term ‘fi sh skin’ stands for the skin from all
aquatic, non-tetrapod vertebrates with or without scales. It exhibits enormous vital
functions; including chemical and physical protection, sensory activity, or hormone
metabolism,” (Rakers et al. 2011 ). From the biomaterials point of view, skin, with
its complex structure and close association with various tissue elements, is a fi bre
reinforced, pliant composite (Wainwright et al. 1976 ) and shows variations in its
mechanical properties depending on the region of the animal body which it covers
(Muthiah et al. 1967 ). Depending on mechanical attributes, skins have been classifi ed as active or passive structures (Craig et al. 1987 ).
Defi nitively, we can accept animal skin, including that of fi sh origin, as
composite- based biological material, which is the source of the leather – a manmade material. Salmon species, sharks and rays are the main fi sh groups, which has
been used for practical applications starting in ancient times and continue to see use
today. As discussed in the previous chapter, scientists are using shark skin as a
bioinspired construct for developing new antifouling coatings for naval industry.
However, as reported previously ( http://www.rojeleather.com ) before the skins of
shark and skate found application for leather goods, the fi shermen used their exotic
skins as waste. Sometimes they has been used as the substitute material for sandpaper,
or even in boat building.