Abstract:

The changes of the mechanical properties, microscopic structure, infrared spectra, and X-ray diffraction spectra
of tilapia skin collagen fiber during different stages of its degradation induced by hydrogen peroxide were compared in this
paper. The results showed that, in the presence of hydrogen peroxide, the anti-puncture strength of collagen fibers decreased
exponentially with heating time. The variations in mechanical properties could be expressed as an exponential
function equation Y = 851.0e-0.001x (R2 = 0.996). Scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that the degradation of collage
n fiber underwent three stages including melting and destruction of the outer membrane of collagen fiber bundles, loosening
and fracture of fiber bundles, and ultimate exposure and release of collagen microfibers. The changes in X-ray diffraction and
infrared spectra exhibited weak heating-induced internal force of collagen molecules, but the triple helix was still remained.
Key words: hydrogen peroxide; tilapia skin; collagen fiber; degradation; aggregation structure

Key words: hydrogen peroxide, tilapia skin, collagen fiber, degradation, aggregation structure