Current and Expected Trends for the Marine Chitin/Chitosan and Collagen Value Chains
Helena Vieira,
Gonçalo Moura Lestre,
Runar Gjerp Solstad,
Ana Elisa Cabral,
Anabela Botelho,
Carlos Helbig,
Daniela Coppola,
Donatella de Pascale,
Johan Robbens,
Katleen Raes,
Kjersti Lian,
Kyriaki Tsirtsidou,
Miguel C. Leal,
Nathalie Scheers,
Ricardo Calado,
Sofia Corticeiro,
Stefan Rasche,
Themistoklis Altintzoglou,
Yang Zou,
Ana I. Lillebø
Affiliations
Helena Vieira
CESAM—Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Environment and Planning, Campus Universitário de Santiago, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
Gonçalo Moura Lestre
CESAM—Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Environment and Planning, Campus Universitário de Santiago, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
Runar Gjerp Solstad
Nofima Norwegian Institute of Food Fisheries and Aquaculture Research, Muninbakken 9-13, 9019 Tromsø, Norway
Ana Elisa Cabral
ECOMARE, CESAM—Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, Santiago University Campus, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
Anabela Botelho
GOVCOPP—Research Unit on Governance, Competitiveness and Public Policies, DEGEIT, Campus Universitário de Santiago, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
Carlos Helbig
Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Forckenbeckstrasse 6, 52074 Aachen, Germany
Daniela Coppola
Department of Ecosustainable Marine Biotechnology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Via Ammiraglio Ferdinando Acton 55, 80133 Napoli, Italy
Donatella de Pascale
Department of Ecosustainable Marine Biotechnology, Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn, Via Ammiraglio Ferdinando Acton 55, 80133 Napoli, Italy
Johan Robbens
Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, ILVO, Aquatic Environment and Quality, Jacobsenstraat 1, 8400 Ostend, Belgium
Katleen Raes
Research Unit VEG-i-TEC, Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health, Ghent University Campus Kortrijk, Graaf Karel de Goedelaan 5, 8500 Kortrijk, Belgium
Kjersti Lian
Nofima Norwegian Institute of Food Fisheries and Aquaculture Research, Muninbakken 9-13, 9019 Tromsø, Norway
Kyriaki Tsirtsidou
Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, ILVO, Aquatic Environment and Quality, Jacobsenstraat 1, 8400 Ostend, Belgium
Miguel C. Leal
ECOMARE, CESAM—Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, Santiago University Campus, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
Nathalie Scheers
Department of Life Sciences, Chalmers University of Technology, 412 96 Göteborg, Sweden
Ricardo Calado
ECOMARE, CESAM—Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, Santiago University Campus, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
Sofia Corticeiro
CESAM—Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Environment and Planning, Campus Universitário de Santiago, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
Stefan Rasche
Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME, Forckenbeckstrasse 6, 52074 Aachen, Germany
Themistoklis Altintzoglou
Nofima Norwegian Institute of Food Fisheries and Aquaculture Research, Muninbakken 9-13, 9019 Tromsø, Norway
Yang Zou
Research Unit VEG-i-TEC, Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health, Ghent University Campus Kortrijk, Graaf Karel de Goedelaan 5, 8500 Kortrijk, Belgium
Ana I. Lillebø
ECOMARE, CESAM—Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Biology, Santiago University Campus, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
Chitin/chitosan and collagen are two of the most important bioactive compounds, with applications in the pharmaceutical, veterinary, nutraceutical, cosmetic, biomaterials, and other industries. When extracted from non-edible parts of fish and shellfish, by-catches, and invasive species, their use contributes to a more sustainable and circular economy. The present article reviews the scientific knowledge and publication trends along the marine chitin/chitosan and collagen value chains and assesses how researchers, industry players, and end-users can bridge the gap between scientific understanding and industrial applications. Overall, research on chitin/chitosan remains focused on the compound itself rather than its market applications. Still, chitin/chitosan use is expected to increase in food and biomedical applications, while that of collagen is expected to increase in biomedical, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and nutritional applications. Sustainable practices, such as the reuse of waste materials, contribute to strengthen both value chains; the identified weaknesses include the lack of studies considering market trends, social sustainability, and profitability, as well as insufficient examination of intellectual property rights. Government regulations, market demand, consumer preferences, technological advancements, environmental challenges, and legal frameworks play significant roles in shaping both value chains. Addressing these factors is crucial for seizing opportunities, fostering sustainability, complying with regulations, and maintaining competitiveness in these constantly evolving value chains.
