Green Marine Collagen-Chitosan Composites with Biocompatible, Hemostatic, and Pro-Healing Performance

Marine-derived biopolymers have emerged as sustainable alternatives to synthetic polymers for biomedical applications, offering both environmental benefits and intrinsic bioactivity. However, the development of multifunctional wound dressings that combine ecological sustainability with an enhanced biological performance remains a key challenge. In this study, type I collagen extracted from the skin of Micropogonias furnieri was incorporated into chitosan matrices of different molecular weights at 0%, 30%, and 50% to engineer composite films for skin repair. Structural and physicochemical characterization by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), polarized light microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) revealed the preservation of collagen fibrillar organization and a progressive disruption of chitosan semicrystallinity, leading to more amorphous, flexible, and hydrogen-bonded networks as the collagen content increased. Biological assays demonstrated high cytocompatibility with L929 fibroblasts for all formulations with the 50% collagen composites significantly enhancing metabolic activity and cell proliferation. Redox analysis showed stable ROS levels and a moderate increase in the level of RNS, suggesting a controlled oxidative environment conducive to tissue regeneration. Functional performance was further confirmed by accelerated wound closure in scratch assays, reaching nearly 90% after 48 h for collagen-rich films. Hemocompatibility studies indicated a reduced coagulation time without hemolysis, while genotoxicity assessments confirmed the absence of DNA damage. Overall, the integration of marine collagen into chitosan matrices yields sustainable, biocompatible, hemostatic, and genetically safe biomaterials with enhanced regenerative performance, highlighting their strong potential for advanced wound-healing applications.