What is Collagen Peptide Made of? A Comprehensive Guide

November 24, 2025 •

4 min read

Approximately 30% of the protein in the human body is collagen, a vital structural protein. But what is collagen peptide made of? It is derived from the connective tissues of animals, such as cows, fish, and chickens, before being processed into a more bioavailable form.

Quick Summary

Collagen peptides are small chains of amino acids created by breaking down animal-sourced collagen through a process called hydrolysis. Key amino acids like glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline form the basis, with common sources including bovine, marine, and chicken hides, bones, and scales.

Key Points

Animal-Sourced: Collagen peptides are derived from animal connective tissues like hides, bones, and scales of cows, fish, and chickens.
Hydrolysis Process: They are created by breaking down large collagen proteins into smaller, more absorbable peptides through a manufacturing process called enzymatic hydrolysis.
Amino Acid Makeup: The fundamental components are amino acids, with high concentrations of glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline forming the collagen's signature triple-helix structure.
Source Varies Benefits: Different animal sources provide different types of collagen; for instance, bovine is rich in Types I and III, while marine is mainly Type I, and chicken is primarily Type II.
No True Vegan Source: There is currently no true vegan source of collagen, as it is only found in animals. Vegan products are 'boosters' that provide amino acids and nutrients for the body's own synthesis.
Highly Bioavailable: The peptide form is highly bioavailable, meaning it is easily digested and absorbed by the body to deliver its benefits for skin, hair, nails, and joints.

The Foundational Building Blocks: Amino Acids

At its core, collagen is a protein, and all proteins are composed of amino acids. The structure of collagen is unique, consisting of a triple-helix formed by three polypeptide chains. These chains are rich in a specific set of amino acids that give collagen its characteristic strength and elasticity.

The Most Prominent Amino Acids in Collagen

Glycine: This is the most abundant amino acid in collagen, occupying nearly every third residue in the polypeptide chains. Its small size allows the chains to form the tight triple-helix structure.
Proline and Hydroxyproline: These two amino acids are critical for stabilizing the triple-helix structure. Hydroxyproline, a modified version of proline, is a distinctive feature of collagen and requires vitamin C for its synthesis.
Other Amino Acids: While glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline are the most critical, collagen contains 19 different amino acids in total. It is important to note that collagen does not contain tryptophan, meaning it is not considered a "complete protein" source.

The Animal Sources of Commercial Collagen Peptides

Since humans and other mammals are the only creatures to produce true collagen naturally, commercial collagen peptides are exclusively derived from animal sources. The raw materials are the by-products from the meat and fishing industries, making it a sustainable practice. The most common sources include:

Bovine (Cow): Sourced from cowhides and bones, this is one of the most common sources, rich in Type I and Type III collagen. It is known to support skin, bone, and joint health.
Marine (Fish): Extracted from fish skin and scales, marine collagen is primarily Type I collagen. It has a lower molecular weight, which some believe leads to higher bioavailability and better absorption.
Chicken: Sourced from chicken sternal cartilage, chicken collagen is a rich source of Type II collagen, which is important for joint and cartilage health.
Porcine (Pig): Similar to bovine collagen, porcine collagen is derived from pigskin and is a source of Type I and Type III collagen.

The Manufacturing Process: From Collagen to Peptide

The process of creating digestible collagen peptides from raw animal materials is known as hydrolysis. The full-length, native collagen protein is too large for the body to absorb efficiently, so it must be broken down into smaller, more bioavailable peptides.

Sourcing Raw Materials: Connective tissues like hide, bones, and scales are collected from animals like cows, fish, and chickens.
Pre-Treatment and Extraction: The raw materials are cleaned, degreased, and de-mineralized to isolate the collagen protein. The collagen is then extracted, often through boiling or an acid-based process.
Enzymatic Hydrolysis: This is the key step where enzymes are used to break down the large collagen protein molecules into smaller, short-chain amino acid peptides. This process is highly controlled to achieve a specific molecular weight, which influences the final product's absorption and solubility.
Purification and Filtration: The resulting peptide solution is filtered to remove any remaining impurities, fats, or larger protein fragments. Techniques like microfiltration and deionization are used to ensure a high-purity final product.
Concentration and Drying: The purified liquid is concentrated and then dried into a powder. The most common methods are spray-drying (rapid drying with hot air) or freeze-drying (removing moisture at low temperatures).

Comparison of Common Collagen Peptide Sources


Feature	Bovine Collagen	Marine Collagen	Chicken Collagen
Primary Types	Types I and III	Primarily Type I	Primarily Type II
Primary Source	Cowhide, bones, and cartilage	Fish skin and scales	Sternal cartilage of chickens
Absorption Rate	Absorbs well after hydrolysis	Often considered to have a higher bioavailability due to smaller peptide size	Absorbs well, particularly the undenatured form
Best For	Overall skin, joint, and bone health	Skin, hair, and nails; often marketed as a beauty-focused collagen	Targeted support for joint and cartilage health
Dietary Suitability	Not suitable for pescetarians	Suitable for pescetarians	Not suitable for pescetarians

Are there Vegan Collagen Peptides?

As of now, there are no vegan sources of true collagen peptides available on the market. Collagen is a protein unique to animals, forming their connective tissues, and it does not exist in plants. However, some products are marketed as "vegan collagen boosters". These supplements do not contain collagen itself but provide the necessary amino acids (such as glycine and proline) and cofactors (like Vitamin C and Zinc) to help the body's natural collagen synthesis. While a well-rounded diet with these nutrients is beneficial, these plant-based options are not a substitute for animal-sourced collagen peptides.

Conclusion

In conclusion, collagen peptides are made from the connective tissues of animals, most commonly cows, fish, and chickens. The large, native collagen protein is broken down into smaller, highly absorbable peptides through a controlled hydrolysis process using heat and enzymes. The resulting peptides are rich in specific amino acids—primarily glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline—which are crucial for the body's structural integrity. The source animal determines the type of collagen, affecting its primary benefits and suitability for different dietary needs. For those seeking an ethical or non-animal alternative, the focus should be on vegan products designed to boost the body's own natural collagen production, rather than looking for a direct vegan collagen source.

Frequently Asked Questions

Collagen peptides are primarily sourced from the connective tissues, bones, and hides of animals, including cows (bovine), fish (marine), and chickens.

Large collagen molecules are broken down into smaller, more digestible peptides through a manufacturing process called hydrolysis, which involves using water, heat, and specific enzymes.

The most prominent amino acids in collagen peptides are glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline. These three amino acids are essential for forming the collagen's unique triple-helix structure.

Marine collagen is primarily Type I and is believed to have higher bioavailability due to a smaller molecular weight, which can lead to better absorption. Bovine collagen contains both Type I and III, and the 'better' choice often depends on individual health goals.

No, because collagen is exclusively derived from animal sources. Vegan products instead offer 'collagen boosters,' which provide the nutritional building blocks, like specific amino acids and vitamin C, to support the body's natural collagen production.

Collagen peptides are generally considered safe for most healthy adults. However, because supplements are not strictly regulated, choosing a product that has been third-party tested for purity and heavy metals is recommended.

Both are derived from collagen, but gelatin is created through partial hydrolysis, resulting in a gelling agent. Collagen peptides (or hydrolyzed collagen) undergo full hydrolysis, creating a more bioavailable, water-soluble powder that doesn't gel.