What is the Difference Between Collagen Protein and Collagen Peptides

The main difference between collagen protein and collagen peptides is that the collagen protein is a major building block of the body, which represents 30% of the bodily proteins whereas the collagen peptides are the easily-digestible and the highly bioactive form of collagen protein. Furthermore, collagen peptides can be taken by the enzymatic hydrolysis of collagen.

Collagen protein and collagen peptides are two forms of collagen, which is the main protein responsible for the cohesion, elasticity, and regeneration of connective tissue.

Key Areas Covered

1. What are Collagen Proteins
     – Definition, Properties, Function in the Body
2. What are Collagen Peptides
     – Definition, Properties, Benefits
3. What are the Similarities Between Collagen Protein and Collagen Peptides
     – Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Collagen Protein and Collagen Peptides
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Collagen Hydrolysis, Collagen Peptides, Collagen Protein, Gelatin, Solubility

What are Collagen Proteins

Collagen protein is one of the key structural material of the body, mainly found in the cartilages. The main function of collagen is to provide strength, elasticity, and cohesion to the tissue. It also plays a role in the regeneration of the tissue. In addition to the connective tissue, collagen protein can also found in the skin, ligaments, tendon, and bones. The three main types of collagen found in the body are Type I, II, and II while the majority of them is Type I collagen, which can give an enormous tensile strength to the tissues. With age, the body reduces the rate of collagen production and this causes the loss of elasticity and strength of the skin and other structural parts of the body.

Figure 1: Collagen Fibers in Cartilage

Collagen protein occurs in a variety of food types including gelatin-based desserts. Gelatin is a result of partial hydrolysis of collagen, in which triple helices of the collagen fibril are pulled apart in such a way to yield individual strands. Therefore, though collagen is insoluble in water, gelatin is soluble in hot water and jellifies back while cooling down. Due to gelling, emulsifying, and binding functionalities, many use gelatin various culinary applications.

What are Collagen Peptides

Collagen peptides are the fully-hydrolyzed form of collagen protein. It is also called collagen hydrolysate. In collagen peptides, the individual strands of gelatin are broken down into small peptides. Due to the hydrolyzed nature, collagen peptides are completely-soluble in cold water. Therefore, they are highly-digestible and readily-absorbed by the body. Also, they are highly bioactive.

Figure 2: Collagen Triple Helix

Since they are digestible and absorbed by the body, collagen peptides have numerous health benefits including healthy ageing, skin beauty, healthy bones, and ligaments.

Similarities Between Collagen Protein and Collagen Peptides

• Collagen protein and collagen peptides are two forms of collagen, which is one of the main structural building blocks of the body.
• Also, they both compose the same amino acid content.

Difference Between Collagen Protein and Collagen Peptides

Definition

Collagen protein refers to the fibrous protein of vertebrates that is the chief constituent of the fibrils of connective tissue and of the organic substance of bones and yields gelatin and glue on prolonged heating with water while collagen peptides refer to the hydrolyzed collagen. This constitutes the basic difference between collagen protein and collagen peptides.

Solubility

Collagen protein is insoluble in water while collagen peptides are soluble in cold water. This is a main difference between collagen protein and collagen peptides.

Absorption and Digestibility

Another major difference between collagen protein and collagen peptides is that the ability of digestion and adsorption is low in collagen protein while the ability of digestion and absorption is high in collagen peptides.

Conclusion

Collagen protein is a fibrous protein mainly found in the cartilages of the body, giving strength and elasticity to the structures of the body. Collagen peptides are the fully-hydrolyzed form of collagen, containing small peptides. Collagen peptides are soluble in water and they are highly digestible by the body when compare to collagen proteins. Therefore, the main difference between collagen protein and collagen peptides is their structure and the properties.

Reference:

1. “Collagen: The Important Differences Between Types I, II, and III.” Natural Force, 14 Aug. 2018, Available Here
2. “About Collagen Peptides.” Collagen Peptides: Everything You Need to Know | Peptan, Available Here

Image Courtesy:

1. “Figure 33 02 06” By CNX OpenStax –  (CC BY 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia  
2. “Collagentriplehelix” (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia