Collagen, the primary organic element found in animal bones, serves as the fundamental raw material for gelatine production in India, where bovine bones are traditionally used. The process of transforming collagen into water-soluble gelatine involves both hydration and hydrolysis. Each gelatine molecule consists of different-sized units that are essentially fragments of the collagen chain.

Gelatine is not a single chemical entity. It is a mixture of fractions different principally in molecular sizes. These fractions are composed entirely of amino acid radicals joined together by peptide linkages.

Gelatine is composed of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen, containing all the necessary amino acids for mammalian nutrition except tryptophane. It plays a crucial role in various industries including pharmaceuticals, food, photography, and other technical fields.