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Article

Physalia physalis—A Source of Bioactive Collagen for the Cosmetic Industry

by
Raquel Fernandes
1,2,3,†,
Cristiana Oliveira
4,5,†,
Diana Ferreira-Sousa
4,5,
Augusto Costa-Barbosa
6,
Paula Sampaio
6,
Luis Reis
1,
Javier Fidalgo
7,
Ana N. Barros
3,
José A. Teixeira
4,5 and
Claudia Botelho
1,2,8,*
1
Abel Salazar Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
2
Centre for Animal Science Studies, Institute of Science, Technology and Agroenvironment (CECA-ICETA), University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
3
Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, CITAB, Inov4Agro, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, UTAD, Quinta de Prados, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
4
CEB—Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
5
LABBELS—Associate Laboratory, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
6
CBMA—Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology, Department of Biology, University of Minho, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
7
Mesosystem Investigação & Investimentos by Spinpark, Barco, 4805-017 Guimarães, Portugal
8
Associated Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Science (AL4AnimalS), 1300-477 Lisboa, Portugal
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
†
These authors contributed equally to this work.
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(1), 33; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27010033
Submission received: 7 November 2025 / Revised: 13 December 2025 / Accepted: 16 December 2025 / Published: 19 December 2025
(This article belongs to the Section Biochemistry)
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Abstract

Collagen, the most abundant structural protein in animals, is fundamental for tissue integrity and regeneration. Conventional mammalian sources face limitations related to sustainability, safety, and ethical concerns, underscoring the need for alternative biomaterials. Marine organisms, particularly jellyfish, offer a promising eco-friendly collagen source. In this study, collagen and collagen-derived peptides were extracted from the cnidarian Physalia physalis and biochemically characterized. Circular dichroism demonstrated partial loss of triple-helix structure, while SDS-PAGE revealed type I collagen related α-chains together with low-molecular-weight fragments. The hydrolyzed collagen fractions exhibited keratinocyte and fibroblast cytocompatibility and increased keratinocyte migration. Moreover, P. physalis-derived peptides modulated inflammatory cytokine release in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages reducing tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α by 38% and increasing interleukin (IL)-10 by 29%. Based on these results, a stable bioactive serum formulation incorporating P. physalis collagen peptides was developed. Overall, this work demonstrates that bioactive peptides from P. physalis possess immunomodulatory and regenerative potential and represent a promising new marine resource for cosmetic applications.
Keywords: Physalia physalis; collagen; collagen peptides; keratinocytes; cellular migration; inflammation Physalia physalis; collagen; collagen peptides; keratinocytes; cellular migration; inflammation
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MDPI and ACS Style

Fernandes, R.; Oliveira, C.; Ferreira-Sousa, D.; Costa-Barbosa, A.; Sampaio, P.; Reis, L.; Fidalgo, J.; Barros, A.N.; Teixeira, J.A.; Botelho, C. Physalia physalis—A Source of Bioactive Collagen for the Cosmetic Industry. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27, 33. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27010033

AMA Style

Fernandes R, Oliveira C, Ferreira-Sousa D, Costa-Barbosa A, Sampaio P, Reis L, Fidalgo J, Barros AN, Teixeira JA, Botelho C. Physalia physalis—A Source of Bioactive Collagen for the Cosmetic Industry. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2026; 27(1):33. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27010033

Chicago/Turabian Style

Fernandes, Raquel, Cristiana Oliveira, Diana Ferreira-Sousa, Augusto Costa-Barbosa, Paula Sampaio, Luis Reis, Javier Fidalgo, Ana N. Barros, José A. Teixeira, and Claudia Botelho. 2026. "Physalia physalis—A Source of Bioactive Collagen for the Cosmetic Industry" International Journal of Molecular Sciences 27, no. 1: 33. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27010033

APA Style

Fernandes, R., Oliveira, C., Ferreira-Sousa, D., Costa-Barbosa, A., Sampaio, P., Reis, L., Fidalgo, J., Barros, A. N., Teixeira, J. A., & Botelho, C. (2026). Physalia physalis—A Source of Bioactive Collagen for the Cosmetic Industry. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 27(1), 33. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27010033

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