Study of Alkaline Protease in Dehairing Process and Chestnut as Vegetable Tanning Agent

Abstract

Abstract Leather industry is one of essential industry in Indonesia, However, the production of leather products produce load of pollutions. This study aims to analyze and focuses on the addition of alkaline protease in the dehairing process and chestnut as a vegetable tanning agent in goat skin in an attempt to minimize the usage of chemicals that were detrimental to the environment despite generating good leather quality. In this study, 10 pieces of raw goat skin were used and processed from soaking to basic dyeing process. The analysis of data used One-Way ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) to discover the differences between treatments. Treatments were divided into 4 categories that were : P0: a control treatment (0% alkaline protease+ 3% H2S and 6% limes + 25% mimosa), P1: 1% alkaline protease with 2% H2S and 5% limes + 25% chestnut, P2: 1% alkaline protease with 1% H2S and 4% limes + 30% chestnut, P3: 2% alkaline protease with 1% H2S and 4% limes + 25% chestnut and P4: 2% alkaline protease with 1% H2S and 4% limes + 30% chestnut. The examination tested was the morphological observation by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), tensile strength, elongation, tear strength, and shrinkage temperature. The SEM study indicates the addition of alkaline protease softens the goat skin, nevertheless, there is a non-significant difference between treatments (P>0.05) on tensile strength and elongation strength, however, there is a significant difference (P<0.05) on tear strength and shrinkage temperature. The conclusion is treatment P4 (2% alkaline protease with 1% H2S and 4% limes + 30% chestnut) generates the best result.