335
similar to bovine pericardium. After 23 days, the rat-implanted samples showed no
calcium or calcium salt deposition. Hydrodynamic and fatigue testing of valve prototypes yielded acceptable functional and long-term behavioral results. In the sheep,
valvular performance was stable during the 180-day follow-up period, with no
instrumental sign of calcifi cation at the end of observation. The researchers conclude that low antigenicity and favorable physical properties qualify tuna cornea as
a potential material for durable bioimplantation (Parravicini et al. 2012 ).
Fish collagen-based biomaterials can be used also for non-biomedical applications. For example, Moura et al. ( 2012 ) developed Poly (glutaraldehyde)-stabilized
fi brillar collagen from fi sh scale for heavy metal sorption. As described by these
authors, “fi brillar collagen on scales of Corvina fi sh ( Micropogonias furnieri ) was
crosslinked and used as a new adsorbent for sorption of Cr (VI) from aqueous solutions. Characterization has suggested that the crosslinked collagen of Corvina scale
has higher denaturation temperature in relation to the raw scales. In addition, electrostatic interactions between collagen positive charges and chromate negative
charges constitute the majority of the interactions. Solution microcalorimetry
experiments have indicated that water swelling of the crosslinked scales is slightly
exothermic and increased with increasing temperature. Sorption of Cr (VI) by
crosslinked scales increases with increasing initial Cr (VI) concentration in solution
and decreases with temperature increasing. The kinetic data of Cr (VI) sorption on
crosslinked scales were best fi tted to a multilinear exponential model. The values of
Cr (VI) diffusion constants increase with both temperature and initial Cr (VI) concentration in solution. The maximum sorption capacity of the new adsorbent for Cr
(VI) was found to be at 39 mg/g and is higher than some commercial adsorbent
samples,” (Moura et al. 2012 ).
8.3 Conclusion
Collagens of fi sh origin are truly impressive alternative sources for collagen-based
biomaterials of animal origin. Unfortunately, marine mammals are also used currently as a source for collagen. Of course, there is scientifi c interest on whale and
dolphin collagens (see for review Ludowieg et al. 1973 ; Nagai et al. 2008c ).
However, “the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society said in their reports that
thousands of approved patents for products or processes could contain whale ingredients. Japan was selling sperm whale myoglobin and chondroitin for treating
osteoarthritis to researchers worldwide. Japanese researchers were also using whale
collagen for beauty treatments and as an anti-infl ammatory. Norway was examining
the use of whale oil for pharmaceutical and health supplements,” (Darby 2010 ).
I am absolutely sure that our scientifi c community can exclude marine mammal
collagens as any kind of biomaterial with practical application, and replace them
with ones derived from a more abundant marine species.
8.3 Conclusion
similar to bovine pericardium. After 23 days, the rat-implanted samples showed no
calcium or calcium salt deposition. Hydrodynamic and fatigue testing of valve prototypes yielded acceptable functional and long-term behavioral results. In the sheep,
valvular performance was stable during the 180-day follow-up period, with no
instrumental sign of calcifi cation at the end of observation. The researchers conclude that low antigenicity and favorable physical properties qualify tuna cornea as
a potential material for durable bioimplantation (Parravicini et al. 2012 ).
Fish collagen-based biomaterials can be used also for non-biomedical applications. For example, Moura et al. ( 2012 ) developed Poly (glutaraldehyde)-stabilized
fi brillar collagen from fi sh scale for heavy metal sorption. As described by these
authors, “fi brillar collagen on scales of Corvina fi sh ( Micropogonias furnieri ) was
crosslinked and used as a new adsorbent for sorption of Cr (VI) from aqueous solutions. Characterization has suggested that the crosslinked collagen of Corvina scale
has higher denaturation temperature in relation to the raw scales. In addition, electrostatic interactions between collagen positive charges and chromate negative
charges constitute the majority of the interactions. Solution microcalorimetry
experiments have indicated that water swelling of the crosslinked scales is slightly
exothermic and increased with increasing temperature. Sorption of Cr (VI) by
crosslinked scales increases with increasing initial Cr (VI) concentration in solution
and decreases with temperature increasing. The kinetic data of Cr (VI) sorption on
crosslinked scales were best fi tted to a multilinear exponential model. The values of
Cr (VI) diffusion constants increase with both temperature and initial Cr (VI) concentration in solution. The maximum sorption capacity of the new adsorbent for Cr
(VI) was found to be at 39 mg/g and is higher than some commercial adsorbent
samples,” (Moura et al. 2012 ).
8.3 Conclusion
Collagens of fi sh origin are truly impressive alternative sources for collagen-based
biomaterials of animal origin. Unfortunately, marine mammals are also used currently as a source for collagen. Of course, there is scientifi c interest on whale and
dolphin collagens (see for review Ludowieg et al. 1973 ; Nagai et al. 2008c ).
However, “the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society said in their reports that
thousands of approved patents for products or processes could contain whale ingredients. Japan was selling sperm whale myoglobin and chondroitin for treating
osteoarthritis to researchers worldwide. Japanese researchers were also using whale
collagen for beauty treatments and as an anti-infl ammatory. Norway was examining
the use of whale oil for pharmaceutical and health supplements,” (Darby 2010 ).
I am absolutely sure that our scientifi c community can exclude marine mammal
collagens as any kind of biomaterial with practical application, and replace them
with ones derived from a more abundant marine species.
8.3 Conclusion