Determining the Applicability of Milkfish (Chanos chanos) for Skin Grafting through Microbiological and Histological Evaluations

Ateneo Aquatic and Fisheries Resources Laboratory, Department of Biology, School of Science and Engineering, Ateneo de Manila University, Katipunan Avenue, Loyola Heights, Quezon City, Metro Manila, Philippines 1108

^* Corresponding author: jragaza@ateneo.edu

Abstract

Tilapia fish skin, rich in Type I collagen, has been shown to accelerate wound healing, reduce infection rates, and create an optimal environment for wound care. However, the potential application of other fish species, like milkfish, for skin grafting remains underexplored. Milkfish (C. chanos), an economically significant species in the Philippines, could expand the donor pool for fish skin grafting, addressing the accessibility issues in resource-limited regions where traditional graft materials may be costly or scarce. The current study investigates the feasibility of applying tilapia fish skin sterilization techniques to milkfish skin. Collected and prepared milkfish skin was subjected to a sterilization process using an established protocol for silver nanoparticle synthesis and characterization, to ensure sterility without compromising collagen integrity. Microbiological and histological evaluations were conducted to determine the collagen quality and sterility of milkfish skin. The results indicate that milkfish skin, after undergoing the same sterilization procedures as tilapia skin, maintained high collagen integrity and was free from microbial contamination. By demonstrating that milkfish skin can be effectively sterilized and used similarly to tilapia skin, this research provides innovative, cost-effective, and sustainable wound-healing solutions. This finding has the potential to transform wound care in underserved areas, improving patient outcomes in regions with limited access to advanced medical facilities.