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Technology for gelatin extraction and gelatin derived products from food animal hide/skins and poultry processing waste

Solution Overview

Submitter: ICAR

This is a sustainable, enzymatic/ultrasound-assisted method for extracting high-quality gelatin from water buffalo hide, sheep and goat skin and poultry processing waste (chicken skin, head, and feet). It addresses the dual challenge of underutilized food animal hide/skin, poultry by-products and environmental waste by converting them into a valuable, non-porcine gelatin source suitable for food, pharmaceutical, and biomaterial applications.

What We Do

Key Features & Benefits

Components

  • Raw materials: Water buffalo hide, sheep and goat skins, Chicken skin, head, and feet (SHF blend) 
  • Acids used: Food-grade acetic and citric acid
  • Technology: With or without Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) and use of enzymes

Methods and Tools

  • Replaces time-consuming alkali hydrolysis and usage of acids 
  • Enzymes/Ultrasonic cavitation can be used for enhanced extraction 
  •  Characterization tools: FTIR, SDS-PAGE, rheometer, texture analyzer

Value Added

  • Economical usage of water buffalo hide, sheep and goat skins 
  • Converts poultry waste (13–14% of live weight) into high-value gelatin 
  • Improved yield (up to 8.9%), Gel strength (up to 601.22 g Bloom strength), Viscosity and functional properties of gelatin
  • Avoids religious concerns associated to porcine/beef gelatin

Where It Works and Where It Can Work

Existing

  • Slaughter units producing large number of hides/skins
  • Gelatin manufacturers 
  • Poultry processing sectors in India
  • Regions generating large poultry by-products (urban or peri-urban poultry hubs)

Potential

  • South and Southeast Asia: Major poultry-producing regions 
  •  Middle East and Muslim-majority countries: Halal gelatin demand

Farming Systems

  • Integrated poultry farming units
  • Small-medium poultry processors with access to poultry processing by-products

Evidence & Impact

Key Outcomes

  • Gelatin of superior or equivalent quality can be produced from water buffalo hide, sheep and goat skins relative to commercially available porcine/beef gelatin
  • Yield: 6-10% depending on drying and other treatment methods 
  • Hydroxyproline content: Up to 17.75 mg/g (indicative of collagen quality)
  • Gel strength: 472.88 to 601.22 g (outperforms commercial gelatin)
  • Solubility: 74.17%–91.74% across pH 4–6
  • Viscosity: Up to 43.12 mPa.s (higher than commercial standards)
  • Color & Clarity: Significantly improved by ultrasound treatment 
  • Functional properties: Enhanced emulsifying, foaming, and water-holding capacities

Scientific Validation

  • Proteomic analysis confirmed presence of collagen α1, α2, α3 chains
  • FTIR indicated better structural integrity with increased α-helical content
  • More than 5 high impact research publications

Scalability & Adoption Support

Scalability Factors

  • Low-cost and eco-friendly: Less reliance on harsh solvents (acid and alkali) and long processes 
  • Adaptable: Can be integrated into existing meat processing and poultry waste processing systems 
  • Partner-ready: Applicable to both small and industrial-scale processors

Requirements for Adoption

  • Access to:
    • Food-grade acetic/citric acid
    • Ultrasonic equipment (e.g., ultrasonic bath is also sufficient) and enzymes 
  • Basic infrastructure for:
    • Hides/skin cleaning, handling and storage 
    • Waste collection, preprocessing (cleaning, mincing)
    • Controlled drying and grinding 
  • Training on industrial gelatin production and ultrasound-based protocols
  • Policy support or public-private partnerships for valorizing hide/skins and poultry waste

Contact Information & Partners

Download PDF

Dr. Raghavendra Bhatta ; Deputy Director General (Animal Science) Division of Animal Science, Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi - 110 001, INDIA ;

Phone: +91-11-23381119, 

Email id: ddgas.icar@nic.in

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