Marketed as Naticol UltraPeptide, Weishardt’s new marine collagen has an average molecular weight of 500 Daltons—far lower than standard marine hydrolyzed collagen (3,000-5,000 Da).
Mouna Rahab, scientific project management and communication lead at Weishardt International, said this gives Naticol UltraPeptide a range of added benefits compared to regular collagen, including improved absorption and bioavailability.
“Naticol Ultrapeptide has a 45% content of di-tripeptides,” she said. “The efficacy of collagen peptides is closely linked to the presence of these short peptide sequences, which are capable of activating cellular processes.”
Importance of molecular weight in collagen efficiency
Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body, providing tissues with strength and elasticity and maintaining connective tissue, skin and tendon health.
However, collagen production begins to naturally decline from around the age of 25, prompting many to begin supplementing with collagen, which is typically made from animal or marine sources.
In supplements, collagen is hydrolyzed to break down its large protein molecules into smaller chains of amino acids called peptides, allowing the collagen molecules to be absorbed and transported to the bloodstream.
Low molecular weight collagens are therefore popular among consumers and supplement brands due to their ability to achieve the same or better results at lower doses than regular collagen.
The benefits of collagen supplementation range from skin elasticity and hydration to joint stiffness, bone density and muscle health, with low molecular weight collagens consistently shown to be efficacious.
Indeed, a recent review showed positive outcomes for collagen peptides with low molecular weights, including enhanced muscle strength and recovery, and reduced markers of muscle stress and inflammation.
“The data clearly indicate that collagen peptides with lower molecular weights exhibited superior pharmacokinetic properties,” the researchers wrote. “Therefore, selecting collagen supplements based on their molecular weight is crucial for maximizing their therapeutic potential and clinical efficacy in muscle health applications.”
Opening the door for new delivery formats
Naticol UltraPeptide is created through a specialized industrial process: a unique enzymatic hydrolysis technology that delivers a high distribution (around 45%) of very low molecular weight peptides. The result is an enriched content of these biologically active small peptides.
“Due to its high content of di- and tripeptides, and considering that digestion generates additional small peptides, Naticol Ultrapeptide demonstrates very satisfying results at a very low dosage (1g/day for an optimal activity, with results starting from 0.5g/day,” Rahab said.
Indeed, Weishardt’s consumer research – in which 100 women took 0.5g of Naticol UltraPeptide per day for eight weeks – suggests that the collagen can improve the skin’s appearance even at very low doses.
Weishardt is now rolling out the ingredient globally, positioning it for a wide range of applications including powders, capsules, gummies and shots. It can also be formulated into topical treatments, such as creams and gels.
Rahab said its format versatility and low-dose efficacy therefore aligns with growing consumer demand for more convenient supplement formats.
“There is an increasing interest for collagen as well as a need for dietary supplements that are easily integrated to a routine,” she said. “With only one or two capsules per day, you avoid all the constraints that you can encounter when taking powder collagen.”