In this study, we developed and validated a high-performance liquid
chromatography/photodiode array method for the quantification of
glycine-proline-hydroxyproline (GPH) as a marker compound in skate skin collagen
peptides (SCPs). The accurate molecular mass and amino acid sequence of this
marker were determined using a QTOF mass spectrometer. Chromatographic
separations were conducted using a 95:5 isocratic mobile phase of 0.1%
trifluoroacetic acid (A) and acetonitrile/methanol (1:4 v/v, B) at a flow rate
of 0.3 mL/min; the separated compounds were detected at 214 nm using a
Jupiter® 4 μm Proteo 90Å
column. The method was validated for specificity, linearity, limit of detection
(LOD), limit of quantitation (LOQ), accuracy, and precision. It was found to be
linear in the range of 1.0-50.0 μg/mL, with a good
correlation coefficient (R2=0.9999) and excellent specificity. The
LOD and LOQ were 0.07 and 0.22 μg/mL, respectively. A
recovery study determined the accuracy of the method, with an average recovery
of 103.76%, 100.35% and 103.97% of the marker at 10, 15 and
25 μg/mL, respectively, and a precision study showed a
relative standard deviation of less than 2%. Additionally, the DPPH and
ABTS radical scavenging activities of the SCPs increased in a
concentration-dependent manner, and UV-protective effect was confirmed by human
keratinocyte (HaCaT cell) viability. Our study thus provides the foundation for
developing functional foods or cosmetics using SCPs.