I extracted collagen from rat tail to create 3D collagen gels using the protocol below. I dissolve the collagen in 0.2% acetic acid (v/v), then adjust the pH. However, the collagen did not seem to gel at all, even when left at 37 C overnight.
I noticed that even when I took the lyophilized collagen and placed it in water at room temperature (at concentrations even above 10 mg/ml), it dissolves right away. Can anyone guess what I did incorrectly in my extraction method for collagen, or why it is dissolving in water at room temperature?
Put your dissolved collagen solution at 4 degree, if it became a gel does it mean that your collagen was degraded during the extraction and you have gelatin instead.
Please check answers at the following related discussion, as they may possibly help, particularly if you intended to adjust a pH close to neutral (not specified at the question enunciate): https://www.researchgate.net/post/Can_anyone_suggest_me_the_buffer_conditions_or_methods_for_solubilising_collagen_powder_other_than_acidic_condition
Usually collagen might be diffcult to solubilize. Therefore my advice would be first to check the goodness of your preparation by determining hydroxyproline content and molecular weight distribution by SDS PAGE.
Put your dissolved collagen solution at 4 degree, if it became a gel does it mean that your collagen was degraded during the extraction and you have gelatin instead.
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