Application of proteases of wheat bran as a bating agent for goat leather processing

MARTEGANI JOSE; MAZZILLI GERMÁN; SCELSIO NATALIA ; BONFRANCESCHI BARROS ALFONSINA; MARKAN ALEJANDRO; LOPEZ LAURA M.I.

Okayama

Congreso; 10th Asian International Conference on Leather Science and Technology; 2014

IULTCS- JALT

In the process of bating the ultimate goal is to make hides pliable and prepare them for thetanning process. In this step, the effective removal of proteins acting as inter-fibrillaradhesives of collagen fibrils seemed to improve leather quality. The result of bating with theuse of enzymes is a clean, smooth and soft hide surface. Bating with proteolytic enzymesachieves the best possible quality of leather and cannot be substituted by chemicals.In the present study we evaluated the use of proteolytic enzymes from wheat bran, abyproduct of the flour industry, in the bating step of goat hide. The preparation containingperipheral parts of wheat grain (30g/L) showed proteolytic activity, in agreement with thefact that several proteolytic enzymes (MEROPS, the peptidase database) has been reportedfor wheat (Triticum aestivum). The tests carried out revealed that enzymes are directlyrelated to the solid fraction of the suspension. The proteolytic activity was assayed usingcasein, hide powder azure (HPA) and elastin-Congo red as substrates. The proteolytic systemwas able to hydrolyze casein, to a lesser extent HPA, but not elastin. The collagen fiberopening was confirmed by histological technique followed by optic microscopy andscanning electronic microscopy of goat pelts bated.Leather produced with enzymes from bran wheat was compared with that produced using awidely applied commercial bating material with regard to quality, strength and softness.Scanning electron microscopic analysis, determination of physical-mechanical properties andorganoleptic evaluation further verify that performance of the leathers is on par withconventionally processed leathers.The enzyme application was successful for hide treatment, suggesting that this enzymaticpreparation can be used in as an environment-friendly product for the crafter leatherproduction.