Preservation in the tannery

Abstract

In tanneries microorganisms are provided with environments suitable for growth. The proteins and fats in the hide represent an ideal source of nutrients for bacterial and fungal growth. In particular, pickled pelts, wetblues and vegetable-tanned moist leathers are prone to mould growth when stored or shipped. In the past, preservatives were expected primarily to provide effective protection, but in more recent years concern over potential ecological hazards has become more important. Worries over environmental pollution have led to pentachlorophenol-containing preservatives being replaced in most tanneries in Europe. This paper presents some new aspects of leather preservation with modern heterocyclic fungicides. The analysis of fungicides on wetblues shows the penetration behaviour of the heterocyclics throughout the pelt. The advantages of the combination of penetrating and surface-active materials are stressed. Results of laboratory experiments with new fungicides are presented. The fungicidal effectiveness on wetblues has been examined by simple microbiological and analytical tests.