# Advances in Decellularization of Fish Wastes for Extracellular Matrix Extraction in Sustainable Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine

## TL;DR

This paper reviews how fish waste can be turned into useful materials for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine through decellularization.

## Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive review of advances in decellularization methods for fish-derived extracellular matrix (dECM) and its applications in regenerative medicine.

## Key findings

- Fish-derived dECM is biocompatible, low immunogenic, and suitable for tissue regeneration.
- Decellularization methods like physical, chemical, and biological approaches are evaluated for effectiveness.
- Fish-derived dECM can be used in wound healing, bone, cartilage, and soft tissue regeneration.

## Abstract

Decellularization removes immunogenic intracellular components of fish tissues while keeping the extracellular matrix (dECM) structure, mechanical integrity, and bioactivity. Fish-derived dECM retains native bioactive components, exhibiting high biocompatibility, low immunogenicity, and biodegradability, while supporting cell adhesion, proliferation, and tissue regeneration. Due to its abundance, minimal ethical concerns, and low zoonotic risks, fish wastes are emerging as sustainable sources of dECM, offering an eco-friendly alternative to mammalian biomaterials. This review highlights advances in decellularizing fish wastes such as skin, scales, bones, viscera, and swim bladders from species including tilapia, tuna, milkfish, carp, goldfish, and sturgeon. Physical, chemical, biological, and hybrid decellularization methods are assessed for cell removal, ECM preservation, and mechanical performance. Recent advances in polymer-dECM composites, crosslinking, and 3D bioprinting have significantly improved scaffold performance, making fish-derived dECM applicable for healing of wounds, regeneration of bone and cartilage, and repair of soft tissues. Despite its potential, challenges remain in optimizing perfusion rates, temperature variations, and tissue-specific protocols, as well as developing eco-friendly decellularization techniques using biodegradable reagents. Future perspectives include expanding decellularized fish tissue sources, innovating bio-inks for 3D bioprinting, and refining tissue-specific processing methods to maximize the potential of fish-derived dECM in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering.