Development and Evaluation of a Novel Fish-Derived Protein Peptide Conditioner Formulated with Pneumatophorus Japonicus Heads Peptides

The study introduces a novel hair conditioner formulated with fish-derived protein peptides from Pneumatophorus japonicus heads (PHP). This conditioner demonstrates significant improvements in the sensory properties and structural integrity of damaged hair. It enhances the surface morphology, reduces fragmentation and roughness, and increases gloss and smoothness. PHP penetrates the hair shaft, interacting with keratin to stabilize its α-conformation, and increases total and hydrophobic amino acid content by 4.98% and 2.67%, respectively, nearing levels found in virgin hair. The PHP conditioner outperforms a commercial wheat protein conditioner in repairing hair, offering a promising natural solution for hair care.