Could hake fish skin be the next star anti-wrinkle ingredient?

By Alessandro Carrara | Published: 23-Jun-2022

Initial studies into the gelatin found in the fish’s skin has also revealed it to have anti-inflammatory properties

A gelatin found in the skin of the hake fish may help to prevent wrinkles caused by UV radiation from the sun.

Research from the Oregon State University in America found that the substance helped to reactivate collagen pathways that had been affected by UV light.

Wrinkling can be exacerbated by exposure to sunlight which breaks down collagen in the skin, according to the study.

Initial findings revealed that the fish’s skin has anti-inflammatory properties, as well as the ability to promote additional antioxidant activity.

Also known as Pacific whiting, the fish is caught in large volumes across the Pacific coast of North America.

It is also popular in Europe, where it is the eighth most consumed species.

Jung Kwon, an Assistant Professor at Oregon State's Seafood Research and Education Center in Astoria, Oregon, is leading the research on the fish’s anti-wrinkling properties.

Her interest in the subject was sparked by how many consumers choose to discard the skin of the fish, rather than eat it.

"Fish skins are an abundant resource that we already know have valuable nutritional properties,” said Kwon.

"But we wanted to find out what additional potential value might be found in something traditionally considered a byproduct."

Through this research she is hoping to alleviate pressure on stocks of the other most popular fish species which are eaten, including salmon and tuna.

The initial results have been obtained through a human cell model system, but Kwon said further research is needed using animal models.

"We saw some potential with a positive response in the cell model system. This gives us good evidence to take those next steps,” she added.

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