Characteristics of gelatin from the skin of unicorn leatherjacket (Aluterus monoceros) as influenced by acid pretreatment and extraction time

Gelatins from the skin of unicorn leatherjacket (Aluterus monoceros) pretreated with different acids (0.2 M acetic acid or 0.2 M phosphoric acid) and extracted with distilled water at 45 °C for various times (4 and 8 h) were characterized. Yields of 5.23–9.18 or 6.12–11.54% (wet weight basis) were obtained for gelatins extracted from the skin pretreated with 0.2 M acetic acid or 0.2 M phosphoric acid, respectively. Extracted gelatins contained α₁ and α₂ chains as the predominant components and some degradation peptides. The absorption bands of gelatins in FTIR spectra were mainly situated in the amide band region (amide I, amide II and amide ???) and showed the significant loss of molecular order of triple helix. Gelatin samples had a relative solubility greater than 90% in the wide pH ranges (1–10). The gel strength of gelatin from skin pretreated with phosphoric acid (GPA) was higher than that of gelatin from skin pretreated with acetic acid (GAA). Both GPA and GAA had the lower gel strength than that of commercial bovine gelatin (P < 0.05). Net charge of GAA and GPA became zero at pHs of 6.64–7.15 and 6.78–7.26, respectively, as determined by zeta potential titration. Emulsifying and foaming properties of GAA and GPA increased with increasing concentrations (1–3%, w/v). Those properties were governed by pretreatments and extraction time. Thus gelatin can be successfully extracted from unicorn leatherjacket skin using the appropriate acid pretreatment and extraction time.