Reusing Limed Fleshing Wastes As A Fatliquor In Leather Processing

Abstract

Sulphated fatliquor was prepared from fats of sheep limed fleshing wastes to be used on small scale leather processing. The chemical properties of fats were determined before sulphation, thereafter they were neutralized with ammonium hydroxide to produce fatliquor. The chemical characteristics of the prepared fatliquor were then determined. The prepared fatliquor was applied onto light and heavy leather processing. Physical, chemical and organoleptic properties were determined, and scanning electron micrographs of finished leathers were obtained. The results showed that total fat content in sheep limed fleshing wastes constituted about 20% of its initial weight, of which unsaturated fats represented 60% and predominated as oleic acid. This indicates suitability of the prepared fatliquor for sheep leather processing. Additionally, the quality of finished leather processed by this technique is comparable to that obtained using a commercial fish oil-based fatliquor . These results imply that sulphated fatliquor derived from flesh waste can be reliably used in leather manufacturing as an appropriate alternative to traditional fatliquor to reduce tannery pollution and production costs.