Collagen VS Gelatin: What’s the Difference?

Collagen and gelatin have gained significant popularity as dietary supplements in the health industry. In addition to their purported extensive health benefits, 

they are also versatile ingredients that can be used in a wide range of recipes, including savory and sweet dishes.

Gelatin and collagen have significant differences in structure, biological activity, and application fields. ‌

Structural differences:

• Gelatin: Gelatin is the denaturation product of collagen under acidic, alkaline, enzymatic, or high-temperature conditions

• Collagen: Collagen is the product of further hydrolysis of gelatin

Differences in biological activity

• Gelatin: Due to the disruption of its triple helix structure, gelatin has completely lost its biological activity.

• Collagen: Collagen has no biological activity, but its molecular weight is small and can be broken down and utilized by proteases. It is commonly used in nutritional supplements.

Differences in application fields:

• Gelatin: Due to mature production technology and easy availability of raw materials, gelatin is widely used in the industrial field, mainly in industries such as food, medicine,

 and cosmetics. For example, gelatin is used as a coagulant in the production of soft candies, jellies, meat products, and other foods, as well as in the production of capsules, pills, vaccines, and other pharmaceuticals.

• Collagen: Due to its small molecular weight, collagen is commonly used in fields such as health supplements, cosmetics, and nutritional foods. It can be more effectively absorbed and utilized by the human body, promoting skin health and improving osteoporosis.

Differences in preparation methods and composition:

• Gelatin: Gelatin is a gelatinous substance extracted from animal skin, bones, and other parts, mainly composed of denatured products of collagen.

• Collagen: Collagen is a product obtained by further hydrolysis of gelatin or other collagen sources, usually in the form of peptides, oligopeptides, and amino acid fragments.

In summary, there are significant differences in structure, biological activity, and application fields between gelatin and collagen. Gelatin is mainly used in the industrial and food fields, while collagen is more commonly used in health and beauty products.