Eco-friendly curing of hides/ skins using phyto based Citrus limon leaves paste

Abstract

The art of leather-making have been practiced for decades, and so are the effects of pollution generated. Freshly flayed animal hides/skins are preserved temporarily with common salt for storage and transport purposes. This method of preservation paves way for increased Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) in process water thereby causing enormous pollution. The present study investigates into the phyto based eco-friendly preservation of skins with paste obtained from the leaves of Citrus limon (Lemon). The phytochemical screening exhibited the presence of Terpenoids, Phenols, Steroids and Sterols, Phlobatannins, Saponins and Cardiac Glycosides . Analysis by GC-MS revealed the presence of 2-[2,6,6-Trimethylcyclohex-1-enyl] cyclopropane carboxylic acid , 1,2-benzenediol, 3[[(3,5-dichlorophenyl) imino]methyl], Pentadecanoic acid and Heptadecanoic acid in the methanolic extract of Lemon leaves. FT-IR analysis also confirmed their presence which helps in inhibiting the growth of bacteria thereby preventing the skins from degradation. The pollution load of soak liquor viz., TDS, Total Solids (TS), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) were also reduced substantially. The skins cured by this technique showed comparable physical strength of leather with respect to conventionally cured skins. Hence, application of plant based preservation method may help to considerably reduce the major problem of salinity associated with leather processing. • Eco-friendly curing of hides/skins using Citrus limon leaves paste. • Substantial reduction in TDS, COD, BOD in waste water emanating out of leather processing. • Dual role of Lemon leaves extract; in preservation as well as an effective antimicrobial agent.