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Scientists in Spain study turning jellyfish into useful collagen
Researchers in Spain are looking at ways of turning this nuisance into a valuable resource
In the Mediterranean, a surprising hero has emerged in the fight against waste and pollution. Jellyfish, often considered a nuisance by beachgoers, are now being studied as a potential sustainable resource for the development of biomaterials.
The proliferation of jellyfish in the Mediterranean has been a major concern for the tourism and fishing sectors. However, a new project launched by the CSIC and the Catholic University of Valencia aims to turn this problem into an opportunity.
The COLMED project seeks to promote the use of jellyfish as a sustainable source for the development of biomaterials in the field of biomedicine, meaning that in the future, these slimy critters could be used to heal wounds, repair damaged tissue or even grow new organs.
For now though, the focus is on a more immediate product. The barrel jellyfish and the fried egg jellyfish are two of the most abundant species in Spain. They are known for their high collagen content, making them an ideal alternative to collagen derived from terrestrial mammals like cows and pigs.
Collagen is a protein which is vital for strong and healthy skin, muscles, bones and connective tissue in humans.
This sustainable alternative has the potential to significantly improve the well-being and health of future generations in biomedicine, nutraceuticals and cosmeceuticals.
Jellyfish blooms off the coasts of Spain have increased in recent decades, and fishermen frequently catch families of them in their nets. The project plans to use these accidental catches in their research. It’s a win-win situation for everyone: at the moment, fishermen are wasting time freeing the jellyfish from their nets but under the terms of the project, they’ll actually be paid for the specimens they hand over.
The COLMED project's research team will work in collaboration with the fishermen's associations of Moraira and Xàbia in the Valencian Community and El Port de la Selva, Cadaqués and Roses in Catalonia. The associations will be responsible for extracting, collecting and storing the jellyfish.
In other news: The rising cost of groceries—Navigating food prices in Spain
Image: Freepik
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