Collagen Fibrils of the Sea Cucumber,<i>Sticliopus Japonicus</i>: Purification and Morphological Study

Abstract

Collagen fibrils were isolated from the body wall of the sea cucumber, Stichopus japonicrts, and purified by centrifugation. Phase contrast and electronmicroscopy showed elongated, spindle shaped fibrils. Their average diameter was calculated to be 1.44 D, where 1 D = the length of unit striation of the fibril ⋍ 640 Å. The number-average contour length was 154 μm. Heterogeneity of size was demonstrated by differential centrifugation and diameter measurements.