2023-09-13
Collagen is a biological polymer, the main component of animal connective tissue,and the most abundant and widely distributed functional protein in mammals,accounting for 25% to 30% of the total protein, and even more than 80% in some organisms .Collagen is a fibrous protein with a three-dimensional helical structure, the ratio of diameter to length is about 1:200, and it has a clear head, middle, and tail.The role of collagen in the human body is to support and protect the structural tissues that make up the human body.
Understanding the Collagen Content in the Skin
The dermis is composed of collagen and elastic fibers,of
which collagen accounts for 80% of the dermis of the skin.
It forms a fine elastic net in the skin, firmly locks moisture,
supports the skin, and is an important part directly related
to skin aging.Collagen fibers and elastic fibers intersect to
form an elastic net, just like the springs in a spring bed,
maintaining the elasticity and tension of the skin.
The skin covers the entire body and is one of the largest
organs in the human body, accounting for about 16% of
the body weight.The skin area of an adult is about 1.2-2.0
square meters. The thickness of the skin varies from place
to place throughout the body, the thickest on the back,
nape, palms, and soles,and the thinnest in the armpits and
face, with an average thickness of 0.5-4.0 mm.
Triple Helix Structure
The triple helix structure is its unique active conformation.
The general protein is a double helix structure,while collagen is a triple helix structure composed of three polypeptide chains.
Type I Collagen
Consists of 80% of the collagen in the adult dermis.
Type I collagen is a structural protein found in animals and is part of the collagen fiber components. It is derived from the COLITA1 and COLITA2 genes expressed on the collagen alpha chain.All collagens have a triple helical structure consisting of three polypeptide α-chain units. Collagen is rich in glycine, L-alanine, L-proline and 4-hydroxyproline, contains a small amount of sulfur and does not contain L-tryptophan.Hydroxyproline is a unique amino acid of collagen, accounting for about 9-13% of collagen. Type I collagen fibers can be naturally dissolved in dilute acid and dilute alkali. Collagen denatures into a single α-chain (gelatin) when heated above 40°C.
