Gelatin

Gelatin is an edible protein which is mainly obtained by processing collagen which is the main constituent of skin, tendons, bone, etc. vertebrates. Skin and bone of animals like cow and/or fish is boiled in water and a solution is extracted from it by acid which will last for some days. Then, gelatin is obtained with processing this solution and drying it.

It should be noted that gelatin is a solid, crispy, fragile and transparent substance which is in yellow color ranging from light to white yellow. Gelatin is odorless and tasteless, having 84 – 90 percent protein, 1 – 2 percent of mineral salts, and 8 – 15 percent water. Gelatin also lacks sugar, fat and additives.

 Gelatin is a food which is melted in temperature of body and refreshes a scent to mouth and is highly consumed in food industries, such as production of pastel and jelly products.

Also, gelatin has adhesive properties, crystallization, formidability, emulsifier, etc. which is vastly used in food industry such as icy products, marshmallow, conserve meats, powdered soups, toffees, ice creams, etc.

Proteins have been comprised of amino acids.

Amino acids are classified into two necessary and unnecessary groups. Necessary amino acid is called to the amino acid which is provided through food diet and body is not able to make it.

Proteins are comprised of 20 amino acids and nine of which are necessary amino acids while the rest are unnecessary amino acids. As a protein, gelatin has 84 to 90 percent protein and has 18 amino acids. The value of amino acids of glycine, praline, and hydroxyl praline is 23, 14 and 11 percent respectively.

Each of the said amino acids includes unnecessary amino acids.

Glycine

In structural terms, glycine is the smallest amino acid which is considered as main source of nitrogen for making amino acids. In synthesis of biomolecules such as hemoglobin, keratin, bile salts, and hereditary molecules are used at the time of hungry. Glycine plays an important role in detoxification of chemicals such as food additives and drugs at liver. Glycine will cause increased s abdominal secretions and plays an important role in gastrointestinal tract diseases.

Glycine interferes in healing wounds. In combination with arginine amino acid, glycine makes keratin which is a necessary material for provision of energy of muscle and healing of wounds. Glycine is required for making hemoglobin which is transferor of respiratory gases in body. Glycine causes increased secretions of stomach and plays an important therapeutic role in gastrointestinal tract. Studies show that deficiency of glycine in pregnant mothers can restrict children’s growth after birth, because, fetus growth needs to glycine is high.

Praline and Hydroxyl Praline

Praline amino acid is one of unnecessary amino acids but is some studies; it is observed that if praline is omitted from food diet, its value will decrease in blood. For this purpose, it is considered as necessary amino acid but its deficiency is rarely observed. It is proven that praline amino acid softens skin and prevents skin from wrinkling. Also, it is said that this amino acid along with vitamin “C” and lysine amino acid prevent vessels from obstructing.

Gelatin and Bone

Osteoporosis and inflammation of joints (arthritis) are two common bone-related diseases which different drugs and hormones such as crotons, estrogen, base phosphatases, and calcitonin, fluoride and par hormone derivatives are used for treatment of the diseases. Also, exercise, calcium supplement and vitamin “D” are used for treating the disease.

In recent decades, nutritional supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate have been used for eradication of symptoms of these diseases.

Clinical studies have proposed that collagen can be fruitful for treatment of the disease due to having a large value of amino acid.

This effect is highly observed on femur bone. In other studies, it has been shown that injection of gelatin enhances calcium existing in blood circulation which indicates that bone is on the verge of construction. It should be noted that gelatin affects treatment of musculoskeletal system positively.

Gelatin and Treatment of Wounds

Chronic wounds like gangrene (diabetes wounds), infection, untreated wounds, etc. are of the complications of diabetes disease. In recent years, various research activities have been done in treatment of the complication but treatment has limited due to intolerable reactions and poisoning of diabetics. Due to having amino acids and unique peptides, gelatin can be effective with reduction of inflammatory responses and adjustment of body immune system in treatment of diabetes wounds. Also, gelatin is an anti- bleeding material which activates coagulated routes with getting contact to the damaged blood cells.

Gelatin and Nail and Hair

With age increase, nails, and hairs turn fragile and crack. With having a large amount of glycine amino acid, gelatin helps hair and mail to grow. It should be noted that glycine amino acid is an important amino acid which is important for making keratin available in hair and nail.

Gelatin and Gastrointestinal (GI) Tract

As a pyogenic material, gelatin enhances and increases flow of abdominal fluid and helps improve digestion and absorption it should be noted that pyogenic material is a protein which is digested in stomach and is turned into small pieces like peptide.

Gelatin covers internal membrane of gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Also, it is claimed that gelatin reduces intestinal inflammation of patients suffering from irritable intestinal syndrome.

Gelatin and Liver

Recent studies have shown that glycine amino acid in liver is used for detoxification of drugs and warding off hormones and bilious (bile) acids. General speaking, gelatin can help improve performance of liver due to having high amount of glycine.

Other Effects of Gelatin

In animal and human laboratory studies, it is shown that gelatin may provide necessary amino acids for making cartilage (main material for making skin). Also, gelatin can reconstruct damaged skin. Gelatin is absorbed rapidly and provides necessary amino acid for metabolism. In addition, gelatin has other effects on health.