Demineralization enhances the physicochemical properties of hydrolyzed collagen powders derived from cannonball jellyfish (Stomolophus meleagris)

High mineral contents in invertebrate marine gelatin powders can adversely affect their gelling and viscoelastic properties. This study investigated the effect of demineralization via dialysis on the physicochemical properties of hydrolyzed invertebrate collagen (HIC) from cannonball jellyfish (CBJ). CBJ was partially hydrolyzed, demineralized, and pulverized to produce dialyzed gelatin (D-SDJ) powders. Partially hydrolyzed and non-dialyzed (H-SDJ) powders were used as the control. Demineralization reduced ∼99% of the minerals (mainly Na+, Ca2+, and Mg2+), 86% of the bulk density, and 90% of particle agglomeration while increasing the crude protein content by about 168%; this resulted in jellyfish gelatin powders with enhanced gelling and thickening properties. Gelatin solutions prepared with demineralized powders showed roughly double the Bloom strength than those prepared with non-demineralized powders. Additionally, demineralization increased the yield stress and apparent viscosity of the jellyfish gelatin gels without affecting the powders' amino acid profile and their isoelectric point (approximately 4.4). The gelatin powders contained all indispensable amino acids throughout processing, with tryptophan as the limiting amino acid. This study demonstrates the critical need to incorporate a demineralization step when producing HIC powders derived from CBJ. This novel raw material was successfully used to produce functional HIC powders with potential applications ranging from foods to cosmetics, biomaterials, pharmaceuticals, medicine, and more.