The leather tanning industry commonly uses goat and sheep skins as raw materials to produce leather for products ranging from clothing and fashion accessories to furniture. However, a lecturer at the Faculty of Animal Science, Universitas Gadjah Mada (Fapet UGM), has found that collagen contained in these skins can be processed into oligopeptides with potential antihypertensive and antioxidant properties.
“Collagen isolated from goat and sheep skins can produce oligopeptides with the potential to act as antihypertensive and antioxidant agents,” said Professor Yuny Erwanto, a professor at Fapet UGM specializing in animal product technology, on Saturday (August 29).
Yuny explained that he selected sheep and goat skins as collagen sources because the animals are widely raised and consumed as primary sources of meat. Meanwhile, their skins have traditionally been used mainly as raw materials for leather tanning.
“The potential of using these byproducts, particularly the skins, as a source of collagen could provide added value for goat and sheep slaughtering businesses,” he said.
To obtain oligopeptide compounds from goat and sheep skin collagen, Yuny explained, the collagen is first isolated using various methods and then hydrolyzed using human digestive enzymes. The process breaks the collagen down into shorter oligopeptide chains that can inhibit angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity. This enzyme converts angiotensin I into angiotensin II, which can trigger high blood pressure.
“When oligopeptides inhibit the activity of this enzyme, it can consequently help lower blood pressure,” he said.
According to Yuny, purifying collagen into oligopeptides offers promising prospects as a therapy for high blood pressure through biological mechanisms because it is derived from a natural material and does not produce the side effects associated with conventional chemical drugs.
In recognition of his research, Jining Medical University in Jining, Shandong Province, China, invited Yuny to serve as a keynote speaker at the 2026 International Symposium on Functional Foods and Health Promotion, held on August 25–26, 2026.
In addition to Yuny, UGM Professor of Pharmaceutical Sciences Abdul Rohman presented on developing analytical methods for food authentication.
Dean of the School of Public Health at Jining Medical University, Professor Leen Li, welcomed and appreciated the two UGM experts’ presentations. Professor Li emphasized that the Shandong Provincial Government fully supports the development of future functional foods, which are increasingly needed to promote healthy lifestyles.
After the symposium, discussions continued, with the UGM experts requesting support for plans to establish a halal detection laboratory at the university.
Shandong Province is known as an agricultural region of China that produces numerous products for export to many countries. Support from a halal certification institution could help expand the market share of its agricultural and livestock products.
Professor Yuny Erwanto initiated initial efforts to establish collaboration a year ago with partners from Korea through joint research and publications.
Author: Gusti Grehenson
Post-Editor: Priyananda
Photo: Researcher’s Documentation and Shutterstock