Why does my collagen gel become turbid after polymerization?

The macroscopic appearance of non-polymerized collagen in solution is clear to slightly opaque, depending on the concentration. As soon as the small collagen fibrils polymerize to larger fibers, a gel with a macroscopically turbid appearance is created. The forming collagen fibers are the size of a wavelength of visible light, which makes the gel become visible due to light scattering. In the phase contrast microscope, the polymerized fibers are also visible, while the fibrils in solution are not.

Helpful? (1) (1)