ABSTRACT
Biomaterials are substances designed for biomedical purposes. They have to be biocompatible, biodegradable, and non-toxic. Biomaterials can be obtained from natural and synthetic polymers. Natural high molecular weight compounds have to be isolated from natural sources. The management of food industry wastes is important because they are biologically active and can be hazardous for human and environment. Fish eyeballs can be a potential source of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) as for instance hyaluronic acid (HA) or chondroitin sulfate (CS). In the experimental studies, GAGs were isolated from vitreous of Cyprinus Carpio and Salmonidae eyeballs. The concentration of HA and CS was determined by the spectrophotometric method at 520 and 525 nm, respectively, with the use of a standard curve. The results showed higher content of HA and CS in the Salmonidae than in Cyprinus Carpio. However, in each isolated GAGs mixture, both polymers were detected. It can be assumed that fish vitreous eyeballs can be managed as the natural source of GAGs.
