Utilizing Collagen Of The Invasive Asian Carp, An Underutilized Protein Source

This seed grant proposal aligns with the scope of the NIFA AFRI Program A1364, aiming to develop niche markets for profitable Asian carp products through innovative manufacturing technologies. Asian carp, a group of invasive fish species originally from Asia, have become a significant ecological and economic concern in U.S. waters. Unlike many Asian countries where Asian carp are popular table dishes, they are seldom consumed in the United States. Currently, Asian carp are predominantly underutilized in the United States, with only a small fraction processed into fillets or surimi products, available in Asian supermarkets; the majority of these carp are processed as animal feed or companion animal food. Notably, Asian carp skin is rich in collagen, presenting opportunities for diverse applications in food, biomedical, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries, as are collagen peptides. Therefore, the objectives of this seed grant focus on optimizing collagen extraction from Asian carp skin, refining the preparation of collagen peptides via enzymatic hydrolysis, and preliminarily evaluating their bioaccessibility and bioactivity (bone and skin health). The success of this project will create opportunities for innovative products and solutions using Asian carp, provide economic benefits to local fishermen and fish processors, alleviate economic and environmental challenges associated with Asian carp in the Mississippi River Basin including Kentucky waters and beyond, and eventually may contribute to the establishment of a nationwide industry centered around the processing of Asian carp.