Individual Presentation: Developing Next Generation Marine Collagen From Seafood Waste for Functional Ingredients

Global interest in sustainable, functional, and protein rich ingredients is accelerating the demand for alternative proteins sourced from underutilized marine resources. Significant progress is being made in developing next generation marine collagen ingredients by converting low value seafood by products—including edible jellyfish, shrimp residues, fish skins, and aquaculture processing streams—into high value, functional, and environmentally responsible food ingredients.Recent innovations in collagen extraction, purification, enzymatic hydrolysis, and downstream processing have expanded the potential of these materials. Particular emphasis will be placed on how processing variables, such as degree of hydrolysis and drying method, influence key functional attributes including gelling behavior, emulsification properties, solubility, and hygroscopicity. Molecular, physicochemical, and rheological characterization will be presented to illustrate how species differences and processing conditions shape performance across diverse food systems.The session will also explore the opportunities and challenges associated with developing clean label marine collagen ingredients that function as stabilizers and texture enhancers while offering potential health benefits. Preliminary techno economic assessments and application data for beverages, protein supplements, and seafood based products will be discussed to inform future commercialization pathways.Beyond ingredient functionality, the session will highlight the role of marine collagen in advancing circular economy solutions by reducing waste within the Southeast U.S. seafood sector and generating economic opportunities for processors, coastal communities, and emerging blue economy enterprises. The importance of interdisciplinary collaboration—spanning food processing, collagen chemistry, food safety, and sustainable innovation—will also be emphasized. The session concludes with an overview of key challenges and future research needs essential for advancing the development of marine collagen–based ingredients.