What is the Main Ingredient in Collagen Peptides? A Deep Dive into Sourcing and Production

November 7, 2025 •

3 min read

While collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body, the main ingredient in collagen peptides isn't a single element, but rather a processed protein derived from animal sources. This manufacturing process, known as hydrolysis, breaks down large collagen molecules into smaller, more easily absorbed peptides.

Quick Summary

Collagen peptides are derived from animal-based collagen through hydrolysis, a process that breaks the protein into smaller, highly bioavailable chains of amino acids.

Key Points

Source is animal-based: The main ingredient in collagen peptides is protein sourced from animal connective tissues, such as from cows, fish, and chickens.
Processing is key: The raw collagen undergoes hydrolysis, which breaks it down into smaller, more absorbable peptides.
Bovine for overall benefits: Bovine collagen is a common source, providing a mix of Type I and Type III collagen, which supports skin, hair, and joints.
Marine for superior absorption: Sourced from fish, marine collagen is primarily Type I and is known for its high bioavailability, making it popular for skin health.
Chicken for joint support: Extracted from chicken cartilage, this collagen is rich in Type II, the dominant protein in joint cartilage.
Amino acids are the building blocks: The peptides are rich in specific amino acids like glycine, proline, and hydroxyproline, which the body uses to build new collagen.

The Sourcing of Collagen Peptides

Collagen is a naturally occurring structural protein found exclusively in the connective tissues of animals, including humans. The raw material for collagen peptides, therefore, must come from these animal sources. Common sources for dietary supplements include bovine (cow), marine (fish), and poultry (chicken).

Bovine Collagen

Derived from the hides, bones, and cartilage of cows, bovine collagen is a popular and widely available source. It is rich in both Type I and Type III collagen, which are the most common types found in the human body. Type I is essential for skin, tendons, and bones, while Type III is found in the skin and blood vessels.

Marine Collagen

This type of collagen is sourced from the skin and scales of fish, and it is primarily made up of Type I collagen. Due to its smaller molecular size, marine collagen is often considered to be highly bioavailable and easily absorbed by the body. Marine collagen is popular in beauty and anti-aging products, as Type I collagen is a major component of the skin.

Chicken Collagen

Sourced from chicken cartilage and bones, this form is rich in Type II collagen. Type II collagen is the main component of cartilage, making chicken collagen a common choice for supplements targeting joint health.

The Manufacturing Process: From Collagen to Peptides

For the body to effectively utilize collagen, it must be broken down into smaller components. The manufacturing process that creates the peptides is called hydrolysis, which is why collagen peptides are also known as hydrolyzed collagen. This process involves several key steps:

Extraction: The raw animal materials, such as hides or scales, are cleaned and pre-treated to remove impurities.
Hydrolysis: The collagen is heated and treated with proteolytic enzymes, which break the long protein chains into smaller, more digestible peptides. This process can be precisely controlled to achieve a specific molecular weight, influencing the final product's properties and absorption rate.
Filtration and Purification: The hydrolyzed liquid is filtered to remove any remaining impurities, salts, and non-collagenous material.
Concentration and Drying: The purified liquid is concentrated and then spray-dried into the fine, soluble powder commonly sold as a supplement.

Why are Peptides More Effective?

As mentioned, the hydrolysis process is crucial because native collagen molecules are too large for the body to absorb effectively through the digestive tract. By breaking the protein down into smaller peptides, manufacturers create a product that is highly bioavailable. This means the body can absorb and transport the amino acids and peptides more efficiently to the areas where they are needed, such as the skin, joints, and bones.

Amino Acids: The Building Blocks

At their most fundamental level, collagen peptides are a concentrated source of specific amino acids that serve as the building blocks for new collagen production in the body. The primary amino acids found in high concentrations are:

Glycine: This is the most abundant amino acid in collagen and plays a crucial role in protein synthesis.
Proline: Essential for collagen stability and the formation of new collagen fibers.
Hydroxyproline: A modified amino acid unique to collagen that is vital for the protein's triple-helix structure.

Comparison of Collagen Peptide Sources


Feature	Bovine Collagen	Marine Collagen	Chicken Collagen
Primary Types	Type I and Type III	Primarily Type I	Primarily Type II
Source Material	Cow hides and bones	Fish skin and scales	Chicken cartilage and bones
Common Uses	Overall support for skin, hair, nails, and joints	Beauty-focused for skin elasticity and hydration	Joint and cartilage support
Absorption Rate	Highly bioavailable	Considered very high due to smaller peptide size	Highly absorbable
Dietary Suitability	Not suitable for pescatarian diets	Suitable for pescatarian diets	Suitable for poultry eaters; not for vegetarian/vegan

Conclusion

The main ingredient in collagen peptides is hydrolyzed collagen protein derived from animal connective tissues. The specific source, such as bovine, marine, or chicken, determines the types of collagen and their primary applications. The critical hydrolysis process breaks down the protein into easily absorbed peptides, making it a highly effective supplement for promoting collagen synthesis within the body. When choosing a supplement, understanding the source and the specific benefits of its collagen types can help consumers make an informed decision for their health goals.

For more in-depth information about collagen and its benefits, you can consult reliable sources such as the Cleveland Clinic.

Frequently Asked Questions

No, collagen peptides are not vegan. Collagen is a protein found exclusively in animal connective tissues, so any genuine collagen supplement must be animal-derived.

Collagen refers to the large, native protein molecule found in animals. Collagen peptides are smaller, hydrolyzed fragments of that protein, which are more easily digested and absorbed by the human body.

Marine collagen is sourced from the skin, scales, and bones of fish. It is valued for its high concentration of Type I collagen and its high bioavailability.

The main difference lies in the collagen type. Bovine offers Type I and Type III, good for overall support. Marine offers primarily Type I and is often praised for its absorption for skin-specific benefits.

Yes, foods like bone broth and animal skin are natural sources of collagen. However, supplements provide hydrolyzed collagen peptides, which are already broken down and potentially more bioavailable.

Some collagen supplements include cofactors like Vitamin C, zinc, and copper, which are essential nutrients that the body needs to synthesize its own collagen.

Yes, the quality of collagen peptides can be affected by the source and the manufacturing process. Reputable brands use controlled hydrolysis and rigorous quality testing to ensure purity and effectiveness.