ABSTRACT
Two collagens were made from giant salamander (Andrias davidianus) skin by using acid and pepsin extraction methods. The yields of acid-soluble and pepsin-soluble collagens were 26.9 and 58.7%, respectively. The results of spectrum, electrophoresis and amino acid analysis showed that they were type 1 collagen with two α and one ß peptides and high imino acid content. They had low solubility at a pH above 6 or salt concentration over 5%. The pepsin-soluble collagen had a better emulsion activity index. The odorants in raw skin and collagens were identified and evaluated using gas-chromatography mass-spectrometer and olfactometry methods and sensory analysis. The fishy and fatty off-odors in skin were not perceivable in the collagens. Sour, ammonia-like, and acrid off-odors were found in the collagens due to acid and enzymatic hydrolysis and protein degradation. The off-odor intensity of pepsin-soluble collagen was low. It could be considered a good and safe collagen material.