Concentrated swelling of collagen in preparation of edible collagen casing

Abstract From the Canadian patent

In a process for producing a tubular collagen casing from a hide collagen source which comprises the steps of comminuting said collagen and forming a slurry swelling said, collagen with acid, then extruding coagulating, tanning, and, drying, the improvement which comprises the steps of substantially completely swelling collagen, in which the epidermal layer and hair has been removed, with a relatively concentrated weak non-toxic acid having a dissociation constant in water of from about 1 x 10-6 to about 1 x 10-3 e.g. lactic acid, citric acid, etc. for a time sufficient to effect substantial swelling of the collagen and then comminuting the collagen for forming a slurry. An advantageous …