Characterization and Formulation of Anti-Aging Cream Using Collagen Derived from Sardine (Sardinella spp.) Fish Scales

Abstract

Skin aging is a natural biological process marked by a reduction in collagen production, leading to decreased skin elasticity and the formation of wrinkles. To address this problem, collagen derived from biological sources has attracted considerable attention as a promising active ingredient in cosmetic formulations. This study aimed to extract and characterize collagen from sardine (Sardinella spp.) fish scales and to formulate an anti-aging cream containing this collagen. Collagen extraction was performed using the acid-pepsin method. The extracted collagen was characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) to identify functional groups, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to observe fibrillar collagen structures, and Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) to analyze its peptide profiles.The results confirmed that the extracted collagen belonged to type I collagen, as evidenced by the presence of amide groups A, B, I, II, and III. The formulated anti-aging cream, containing collagen at concentrations of 5%, 10%, and 15%, demonstrated good physical stability during 12 weeks of storage, maintaining a stable pH (4.6–4.8) and optimal viscosity (21,200 cP). The antioxidant activity assessed by the DPPH radical scavenging assay revealed that hydrolyzed collagen exhibited a very strong antioxidant activity with an IC50 value of 34.97 ppm. Furthermore, hydrolyzed collagen showed maximum solubility (100%) at pH 4, indicating its suitability for cosmetic applications. The present work confirms that collagen derived from sardine fish scales demonstrates significant promise as a natural, efficacious, and safe bioactive component for anti-aging skincare formulations. However, comprehensive in vivo studies and controlled clinical trials remain essential to fully establish its therapeutic efficacy and safety profile for human cosmetic applications.