In vitro responses of hFOB1.19 cells towards chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) skin gelatin hydrolysates in cell proliferation, cycle progression and apoptosis

► Chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta) skin gelatin was hydrolyzed by three proteases. ► The hydrolysates had weak 17β-estradiol-like effect on human fetal osteoblasts. ► They could enhance cell viability and S phase ratio of cell population in vitro. ► They also exhibited anti-apoptotic effect on the osteoblasts. ► Papain-generated hydrolysate is potential functional ingredient of bone health.