Cattle Hides Research Articles

Assessments of Challenges and Marketing Channels of Skin and Hide in Eastern Ethiopia

A cross sectional study was conducted from October 2015 to September 2017 on skin and hide defects, handling practice and marketing channel in east and west Hararghe zone, Oromia region. In this study, both purposive and random samplings were used to select the districts (Babille, Haramaya, Chiro and Chiro zuria), PAs and households from the two zones. A total of 247 respondents from households, butcheries, municipal abattoirs, middlemen and local skin and hide collectors were interviewed. Direct wet skin and hide observation and follow up investigation was also made on 62 cattle hide, 86 sheep and 99 goat skins from 136 different sites to collection centers along the marketing channel to the tannery plant. The result of the study showed 17% of the respondents had no understanding on contribution of skin and hide in national economy and only 34% of the participants had sold skin and hide to local collectors and traders whereas 12.1% of the participants preferred to use skin or hide for coverings of home materials. The study also revealed involvement of illegal traders, poor infrastructures, uneven distribution of collectors were some of the main challenges in skin and hide marketing and rejection at tannery because of damages during flaying and preslaughter factors like skin diseases and ectoparasites, poor preservation techniques, storage and transportation methods were identified as the main factors downgrading skin and hide. Of the 247 wet blue skin and hides examined at Mojo tannery PLC only 4.9% fall in export level grading score (grade 1-4), 27.1% were rejected and the left fall in grading level supplied to local market. Hence, there was knowledge gap in skin and hide handling practices and poor market access. Therefore, awareness creation and building link amongst producer to collector, trader and tannery were recommended.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) Content in Cattle Hides and Meat Singed with Scrap Rubber Tyres

Scrap rubber tyre is used as fuel for singeing animal carcasses in third world countries despite the fact that it can impart hazardous substances like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on meat. The PAH contents of cattle hide and meat samples singed with flame produced by scrap car tyre in abattoirs located in Umuahia, Aba, Okigwe and Mbaise, South-Eastern Nigeria, were evaluated with Gas chromatography fitted with flame ionization detector (GC-FID). The target analytes were the sixteen non-alkylated priority PAHs which were determined in the samples through ultrasonic extraction, sample clean up and GC-FID analysis. The results revealed that mean concentrations of the carcinogenic PAH, benzo(a)pyrene in the consumer ready singed and washed samples from Aba were lower than EU limit of 2 μg/kg. For samples collected from Umuahia, mean benzo(a)pyrene concentrations were higher in the consumer ready singed washed hide and meat samples compared to the EU limit. Mean benzo(a)pyrene concentrations in the singed washed samples from Okigwe and Mbaise were also lower than the EU limits. The results indicate that the use of rubber tyres for singeing cattle hides and meat can deposit dangerous levels of PAHs which puts consumers of such products at the risk of health hazards like cancer. It is recommended that government at all levels should enact and strictly enforce laws banning the use of scrap rubber tyres for processing food. Keywords : Cattle hide, meat, tyre, singeing, hydrocarbons

Preparation of poly (vinyl alcohol)/gelatin composites via in-situ thermal/mechanochemical degradation of collagen fibers during melt extrusion: effect of extrusion temperature

By in-situ degradation of collagen fibers into gelatin under the thermal/mechanochemical effects of the extruder, PVA/gelatin composites were successfully prepared using PVA and collagen fibers derived from cattle hide limed split wastes as raw materials. The effect of extrusion temperature on the degradation of collagen fibers and the thermal processability and mechanical properties of the composites were studied. The results showed that the controllable degradation of collagen fibers in extruder could be realized by adjusting the extrusion temperature. Particularly, high extrusion temperature promoted the generation of low-molecular-weight gelatin and the esterification between the hydroxyl of PVA and the carboxyl of gelatin, as well as the hydrogen bonding between O-H, C = O, N-H in gelatin and water or O-H in PVA, thus endowing gelatin with the good compatibility with PVA, and significantly increasing the content of non-freezable bound water in system. Ascribing to the plasticization of the gelatin with lower molecular weight and more non-freezable bound water, PVA/gelatin composites exhibited the improved thermal processability and the decreased mechanical properties with the increase of extrusion temperature. Even so, the tensile strength and Young’s modulus of the composite obtained at 175 °C still above 40 MPa and 1.0 GPa respectively, satisfying some practical applications.

Characterization of biofilms produced by Escherichia coli O157 isolated from cattle hides

This study aimed to investigate possibility E. coli O157 from cattle hides to produced biofilms. We had 28 suspect primoisolates and 17 were confirmed to be E. coli O157. Biofilm production test showed that more than 50% of this isolates did not produce biofilm. From the other half of the isolates, 5 of them were weakly adherent, 3 were moderately adherent. Since E. coli O157 are one of the main foodborne hazards in meat processing industry and the discovery that some of them can produce moderately adherent biofilms, request necessity of strict implementation of HACCP procedures to prevent further expansion this pathogen.

The effects of titanium dioxide coatings on light-derived heating and transdermal heat transfer in bovine skin

The effects of titanium dioxide coatings of bovine hides on light absorption and transdermal transfer of light-derived heat were investigated. Four hair-on rug hides from Holstein cattle were purchased. Twelve samples about 20cm on a side were cut from each hide; nine from the black-colored areas, and three from the white areas. Samples were randomized and assigned to four coating treatments: (1) white hide with no coating (White), (2) black hide with no coating (Black), (3) black hide with 50% coating (Mid), and (4) black hide with 100% coating (High). Coatings were applied to the black hide samples using a hand sprayer. Lux measurements were taken using a modified lux meter at three light intensities generated with a broad spectrum, cold halogen light source. Reflectance over a wavelength range of 380 to 900nm was measured using a spectroradiometer. The transdermal transfer of heat derived from absorbed light was measured by applying a broad spectrum, cold halogen light source to the stratum corneum (coated) side of the sample and recording the temperature of the dermis-side using a thermal camera for 10min at 30-s intervals. At the high light level, the White, Black, Mid, and High coating treatments had different (P<0.001) lux values of 64,945, 1741, 15,978, and 40,730lx, respectively. In the visible wavelength range (400 to 750nm), Black hides reflected 10 to 15% of the light energy, hides with the Mid coating treatment reflected 35 to 40%, and hides with the High coating treatment reflected 70 to 80% of the light energy. The natural White hide samples reflected 60 to 80% of the light energy. The average maximum temperatures at the dermis-side of the hides due to transferred heat were 34.5, 70.1, 55.0, and 31.7, for the White, Black, Mid, and High treatments, respectively. Reflective coatings containing titanium dioxide on cattle hides were effective in reducing light energy absorption and reduced light-derived heat transfer from the skin surface to deeper skin layers.

Dehairing of cattle hide by keratinase enzyme of Aspergillus flavus s125

Dehairing of cattle hide by keratinase enzyme of Aspergillus flavus s125

English

The study was conducted at Wolaita Zone Southern Ethiopia with the objective of assessing the status collection, utilization and marketing of hides and skins in the study area. Multi-stage sampling was employed for all sampling procedures. Three districts were purposively selected based on livestock population, intensity of fattening, degree of slaughtering frequency and number of hide and skin warehouse. From each district, three kebeles were selected randomly. From the selected kebeles, 135 households were selected randomly for interview. Farmers in the study area rear cattle mainly for multipurpose (30%), for fattening as income source (23%), for security (9.6%), for milk purpose (30%) and for draught purpose (7.4%). About 33% of the respondents reported that collectors collect hide and skin immediately after slaughtering, 53% with some delay and 13% in the next day. Forty eight percent of the respondents use hide and skin for various domestic purposes like for harness, miran, bedding material and for making chair from which majority of them use hide and skin for &#39;miran&#39; (44%) and bedding &lsquo;kurbet&rsquo;(37%). Majority of the household respondents (76%) sold hide and skin to market after backyard slaughter in fresh state where as, the rest practice different types of hide and skin preservation techniques from which ground drying (57%) and smoking (24%) were common. The main factors for determination of price in the area were weight and size basis, freshness of hide and skin and absence of defects. According to the survey response, majority of producers sell their hide and skin either by price fixed by the buyers or through negotiation based on size and quality of the materials. The mean price of raw cattle hide as reported by majority of the households (57.8%) ranges from 100 to 120 Ethiopian Birr (ETB), sheep skin (69%) ranges from 50-60 ETB and goat skin (76%) ranges from 40-50 ETB. Training should be given for hide and skin collectors for timely collection to reduce spoilage and there should be hide and skin collection and marketing cooperative to have market linkage. Key words: Collection, domestic purpose, hide and skin, marketing, preservation.

Utilization of Tannins Extract of Acacia seyal Bark (Taleh) in Tannage of Leather

Leather is a durable and flexible material created by the tanning of animal raw hide and skin, primarily cattle hide and natural grain, variation in the grains, good breathability and other natural features are all signs that the material is genuine. The most commonly used tanning methods are chrome and vegetable tanning. The vegetable tannins are extracted by using a suitable solvent, usually water followed by concentration and spray drying to get powder or solid. The tanneries in the Sudan imported mimosa and synthetic (syntan) tannins material for the process of retanning and pretanning. This study was undertaken to utilize Taleh bark (Acacia seyal Bark) as a retanning material for production of upper and garment leathers. The tannins content of Taleh bark was found to be 28.9% and therefore it was promising and would successfully be used as retaining and tanning materials. In this study; the factors that affect leaching which are mainly time, solvent to solid ratio, temperature, agitator speed and time of extraction. A two - level factorial experiments were designed and the level of the above factors was determined according to the statistical analysis. It was found that a solvent solid ratio of 6:1, speed of agitation of 250 rpm, temperature of 30°C and time 2 hours were the optimum conditions. A complete design of a long tube triple-effect evaporator is made for production of 1000 tons per year which is enough for the present level of capacities in the tanneries to date. In conclusion it is clear that Sudan can produce tannins extract from Taleh bark which can be used for pretannage, tannage and retannage. It is recommended that the Taleh bark and similar Acacia seyal can be analyzed and leached to give tannins powder extract to replace imported Mimosa extract.

Effect of Some Sudanese Traditional Hot Iron Branding on Cattle Hide Quality

This study was designed in order to assess and evaluate the effect of hot iron branding on cattle hide quality. 62 shapes of hot iron branding were detected and classified. Branding damage was evaluated depending on: purpose of application, location in the animal body, branding area, tribe which applied and hide degree. The results showed that, Baggara tribes branding were causing the greater damage on cattle hides; where 71.4% of its brands placed in the abdominal and animal back area (middle of the hide); in proportion to Misseriya Zuraq tribes (68.4%). According to the location of branding, the less tribe that causing damages to the cattle hides were Darfur tribes (14.3%). In terms of branding area Darfur tribes were causing the most branding damages where 42.8% of its brands on cattle hides were between 20-30cm, followed by Baggara tribes where 57.1% of its brands were between 10-20cm then Misseriya Zuraq tribes by 52.6%, and finally North Kordofan tribes of 37.5%. grading of cattle hides depending on the presence of the brand marks the study revealed that, Misseriya Zuraq tribe's brands were obtained the highest percentage (89.4%) of the rejected hides (Scarto= 4 and 5 grades), when compared with North Kordofan tribes (87.5%). For commercial reason brand's were mostly done in the area of 5-10cm but, their effect on cattle hide quality was greater, where 81% of the hides were classified as Scarto.

Evaluation of Bacteriophage Application to Cattle in Lairage at Beef Processing Plants to Reduce Escherichia coli O157:H7 Prevalence on Hides and Carcasses.

Escherichia coli O157:H7 is a major food safety concern for the beef industry. Several studies have provided evidence that cattle hides are the main source of beef carcass contamination during processing and that reductions in the E. coli O157:H7 load on the hides of cattle entering processing facilities will lead to reductions in carcass contamination. Bacteriophages have been proposed as a novel preharvest antimicrobial intervention to reduce the levels of E. coli O157:H7 on cattle hides. The objective of this study was to evaluate a commercialized phage application administered in the lairage area of commercial beef processing plants for the ability to reduce E. coli O157:H7 contamination of cattle hides and carcasses. Cattle lots either received phage spray treatment (n = 289) or did not (n = 301), as they entered the lairage environments in two separate experiments at two different commercial beef processing plants. Hide and carcass samples were collected and analyzed for E. coli O157:H7 prevalence and concentration. Cattle hides receiving phage treatment had an E. coli O157:H7 prevalence of 51.8%, whereas untreated hides had a prevalence of 57.6%. For carcass samples, the E. coli O157 prevalence in treated and untreated samples was 17.1% and 17.6%, respectively. The results obtained from these experiments demonstrated that the treatment of cattle hides with bacteriophages before processing did not produce a significant reduction of E. coli O157:H7 on cattle hides or beef carcasses during processing.

Isolation, biochemical and genetic characterization of extracellular protease producing cattle hide dehairing bacterium – A potential alternative to chemical dehairing

Wastes of leather industries are substantially polluting the environment; therefore, to ameliorate the situation using environment-friendly dehairing process, an extracellular protease producing bacterium highly capable of dehairing cattle hide was isolated from soil. The bacterium was capable of producing extracellular protease which could dehair cattle hide within 8–10 h only. Scanning electron microscopic analysis of the dehaired hide obtained from enzymatic process showed that hair pores were free of any hair residues and grain surface was found to be smoother than conventional dehairing process. The optimum temperature for bacterial growth and enzyme production was found to be around 37 °C and crude enzyme was found to have optimum activity at pH 8.5. Complete inhibition of the enzyme activity by phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF) indicated that the enzyme could be serine protease. Molecular phylogenetic analysis of 1430 nt 16S rRNA gene sequence by MEGA 6.0 placed the isolated bacterium in the same clad with Bacillus subtilis. Phylogenetic analysis of full length 16S-23S Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) region and partial sequence of 23S rRNA gene also showed that the bacterium could be a member of Bacillus subtilis family. This potential bacterium can be used in the leather industries as an eco-friendly alternative to chemical dehairing.

0605 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli on cattle hides and bacterial transfer from hides to carcasses in Midwestern commercial beef slaughter operations

0605 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli on cattle hides and bacterial transfer from hides to carcasses in Midwestern commercial beef slaughter operations

Phenogenotypic Characterization of Escherichia coli O157:H7 Strains Isolated from Cattle at Slaughter.

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157:H7 was isolated from 30 (4%) of 744 cattle hide swab samples collected at Estonian slaughterhouses within a 3-year monitoring program of zoonotic pathogens. The isolates were characterized by determining the presence of STEC main virulence factors, the antimicrobial resistance profiles, and the genetic relatedness by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Thirteen strains carried the stx2 gene alone and 17 both the stx1 and stx2 genes. The most frequently detected stx subtype was stx2c, occurring alone (n = 12) or in combination with subtype stx1a (n = 13). All isolates harbored the intimin-coding eae gene and produced enterohemolysin. Twelve isolates (40%) showed resistance to at least one of the 14 antimicrobials and the isolates were predominantly resistant to streptomycin, sulfamethoxazole, and ampicillin. No extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing isolates were detected. PFGE characterization of the isolates showed an overall similarity higher than 75%, and four clusters based on 100% similarity were revealed.

Effects of dietary fiber and distillers grains on enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli hide contamination prior to slaughter in feedlot steers

Hides of cattle at slaughter serve as an important source for carcass contamination by enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC). The objective of this study was to determine whether the presence of distillers grains (DGS) or the level of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) affects hide contamination by EHEC prior to slaughter in feedlot steers.

Prevalence of EHEC-7 on hides of market beef cattle at slaughter

Cattle hides at slaughter are an important source of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) carcass contamination. The objective of this study was to estimate the probability for hide contamination with EHEC-7 among US market beef cows at slaughter, as well as test the effects of season and geographic region.

Reduction of Shiga Toxin-Producing E. coli and Salmonella Typhimurium on Cattle Hides by Spray Treatment with “Fit-L” (Levulinic Acid plus Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate)

The efficacy of levulinic acid plus sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) at different concentration to inactivate STEC and Salmonella Typhimurium on cattle hides in vitro and in vivo as a surface spray treatment was determined. A mixture of six isolates of STEC, including serovars O26, O45, O103, O111, O121, and O157 (10 8 CFU/ml) and a mixture of 5 strains of S. Typhimurium (108 CFU/ml) were sprayed on the surface of 10 x 10-cm sections of cattle hide. The inoculated hides were dried under a hood at 21˚C for 72 h or held 4˚C for 24 h. The hides were treated by surface spray with a commercial microbicide (Fit-L) at different concentrations at 45 psi for 15 s. Water only applied at 45 psi for 15 sec was used as the negative control. Sponge samples of the hides were collected at 1, 3, and 5 min after treatment and enumerated for STEC and Salmonella. For STEC-contaminated hides, treatment of Fit-L diluted at 1:11 (v/v) in tap water (4% levulinic acid plus 0.4% SDS for 5 min reduced STEC populations by 3.7 log CFU/cm 2 , when compared with the water only treatment. For S. Typhimurium-contaminated hides, treatment of Fit-L reduced the Salmonella population by 4.6 log CFU/cm2. Scrubbing hides with a brush for 30 s followed by Fit-L spray treatment further reduced Salmonella contamination by 0.5 log/cm2. Fit-L product diluted in tap water at 1:22 (v/v, 2% levulinic acid plus 0.2% SDS) was used as a surface wash for live beef cattle. Results revealed that surface spray of cattle with Fit-L reduced the E. coli population by 3.4 log CFU/cm2 at 5 min when compared with the tap water wash only control. No adverse effects for the cattle were observed after the spray treatment.

Molecular characterization and antimicrobial resistance of STEC strains isolated from healthy cattle in 2011 and 2013 in Spain.

Prevention of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) foodborne outbreaks is hampered by its complex epidemiology. We assessed the distribution of virulence genes (VGs), main serogroups/serotypes for public health [haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS)-related], antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns in a collection of STEC isolates obtained from cattle hide (n = 149) and faecal (n = 406) samples collected during a national survey conducted in Spain in 2011 and 2013. Isolates were cultured using McConkey and CT-SMAC agar after enrichment, and confirmed as STEC by PCR. STEC prevalence in hides (15·4%) was higher than in faeces (10·7%) and O157:H7 was more frequent in the former (2·7% vs. 0·99%). Non-O157 HUS-related serogroups were present albeit at low frequencies. The non-O157 isolates were more heterogeneous than O157:H7 in their VG patterns, with 25/64 presenting VGs from both STEC and enterotoxigenic pathotypes (hybrid isolates). Of the STEC isolates, 62·5% were resistant at least to one antimicrobial, and no differences in AMR between O157:H7 and non-O157 were detected. All isolates had different profiles by PFGE and did not form a cluster. Overall, our results demonstrated that STEC in the cattle reservoir is still a matter of concern for human health due to the presence of HUS-related serogroups, the occurrence of certain VGs, AMR and the additional risks that hybrid isolates may pose, and thus warrants further investigation.

Application of highly carboxylate resins in aqueous emulsion for leather coating avoiding the use of isopropyl alcohol

Today, the first stages of the finishing processes of buffed cattle hides or full loose grain – known as impregnation – are largely carried out with acrylic resins and penetrating agents (typically, a mixture of surfactants and solvents). This application aims to strengthen the partially buffed grain layer bound to the rest of the dermis. To that end, a composition of emulsified acrylic resins is used, as well as a penetrating agent – usually isopropyl alcohol – and water.The process examined consists in the application of acrylic polymers in an aqueous emulsion that, because of their structure, size, and properties no longer require the use of the isopropyl alcohol contained in the penetrating agents. The use of this alcohol causes adverse effects on the health of workers that are exposed to emanations of isopropanol vapors (irritant to eyes, respiratory tract, and skin) in the work environment. Effects from prolonged exposition and inhalation may lead to headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea and, ultimately, to unconsciousness.By using the new polymers developed in this work, the negative environmental effects of the finishing process can be minimized. At the same time, the use of these highly carboxylate resins avoid the exposure to isopropyl alcohol, which is harmful to the health. In addition, the volatile organic compounds (VOC) are reduced without compromising the appearance, performance and fashion requirements that are expected in the final product.

Improvement of the filling and plasticization processes of forming multifunctional leather materials

The study concerns the filling and plasticizing processes in the final stages of forming multifunctional leathers from various raw materials on the basis of using new composite systems. The structure of a tannin-containing composition was found to affect the process of its diffusion throughout the structure of the topographic areas of the semifinished chrome-tanned product. In particular, we have determined that the depth of diffusion of the filling composition in loose areas was close to 100 % with a 5 % use of the mass of the intermediate product; in dense areas even with a bigger use of the mass, it was only 80 % of the thickness of the intermediate product. The structure of the filling and plasticizing composition was developed to form various leathers from hides of cattle and sheep. A protein hydrolysate and a highly dispersive modified aluminosilicate have proved to influence the process of forming and the physicochemical properties of semifinished leathers. If the filling and plasticizing composition contains optimal amounts of montmorillonite and protein hydrolysate at 4–2 % of the semifinished leather mass, the obtained leather materials have respective tensile strengths of sheepskin and bovine hides of 15–16 MPa and 20–22 MPa, and their stiffness is 15–16 and 21-22 SN. The use of montmorillonite in the filling and plasticizing compositions in processing semifinished chrome-tanned products proved to ensure stability of the dispersed structure in further processing and its mobility in the cyclic deformation of the products. The complex study of the process of filling and plasticizing semifinished chrome-tanned products was the basis for developing effective technologies to produce elastic materials for footwear leather uppers and apparel and haberdashery articles with the necessary physical and mechanical properties as well as bigger volume and area outputs by 270–310 сm 3 /100 g of protein substance and by 5–6 %, respectively, in comparison with the outputs of the industrial technology.

Presence of pathogenic Escherichia coli is correlated with bacterial community diversity and composition on pre-harvest cattle hides.

BackgroundSince 1982, specific serotypes of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) have been recognized as significant foodborne pathogens acquired from contaminated beef and, more recently, other food products. Cattle are the major reservoir hosts of these organisms, and while there have been advancements in food safety practices and industry standards, STEC still remains prevalent within beef cattle operations with cattle hides implicated as major sources of carcass contamination. To investigate whether the composition of hide-specific microbial communities are associated with STEC prevalence, 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) bacterial community profiles were obtained from hide and fecal samples collected from a large commercial feedlot over a 3-month period. These community data were examined amidst an extensive collection of prevalence data on a subgroup of STEC that cause illness in humans, referred to as enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC). Fecal 16S rRNA gene OTUs (operational taxonomic units) were subtracted from the OTUs found within each hide 16S rRNA amplicon library to identify hide-specific bacterial populations.ResultsComparative analysis of alpha diversity revealed a significant correlation between low bacterial diversity and samples positive for the presence of E. coli O157:H7 and/or the non-O157 groups: O26, O111, O103, O121, O45, and O145. This trend occurred regardless of diversity metric or fecal OTU presence. The number of EHEC serogroups present in the samples had a compounding effect on the inverse relationship between pathogen presence and bacterial diversity. Beta diversity data showed differences in bacterial community composition between samples containing O157 and non-O157 populations, with certain OTUs demonstrating significant changes in relative abundance.ConclusionsThe cumulative prevalence of the targeted EHEC serogroups was correlated with low bacterial community diversity on pre-harvest cattle hides. Understanding the relationship between indigenous hide bacterial communities and populations may provide strategies to limit EHEC in cattle and provide biomarkers for EHEC risk assessment.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40168-016-0155-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.