ARS | Publication request: Microbiological and near IR studies of leather from hides presoaked in formulations that can remove hardened bovine manure

Submitted to: American Chemical Society National Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: May 17, 2012
Publication Date: August 23, 2012
Citation: Ramos, M. 2012. Microbiological and near IR studies of leather from hides presoaked in formulations that can remove hardened bovine manure. American Chemical Society National Meeting. Paper No. 215-11794.

Technical Abstract: New efficient eco-friendly soaking methods are urgently needed to clean raw hides for storage and shipment abroad of ~ 35M bovine hides produced annually in USA. High concentrations of surfactant(~0.15% w/w) and biocide(~0.10% w/w) in commonly used soaking solution are functional for eliminating microbial contamination, but quite unfriendly to the environment, also inefficient in removing the damaging adobe-type manure. When crude glycerol, sodium carbonate and chlorine dioxide are included in the soaking solution containing lesser surfactant (0.0375% w/w) and biocide (0.025% w/w), the efficiency in removing hardened manure improved. It still exhibited ~80% microbial growth inhibition and significant smell reduction. The chemical and structural alterations on finished leather samples made from the presoaked hides are reported utilizing non-denaturing near Infrared (nIR) spectroscopy technique. Quality of leather products made from hides presoaked in newly developed soaking formulations show significant improvement in its mechanical properties compared to control leather.