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Title: Model systems for leather research and beyond

Author
item Brown, Eleanor - Ellie
item Latona, Renee
item Taylor, Maryann

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/1/2013
Publication Date: 5/29/2013
Citation: Brown, E.M., Latona, R.J., Taylor, M.M. 2013. Model systems for leather research and beyond. Proceedings Book XXXII Congress of the International Union of Leather Technologists and Chemists Societies (IULTCS), May 29-31, 2013, Istanbul, Turkey. p.29.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Animal hides and skins, the most valuable byproducts of the meat industry, are raw material for the leather, biomaterials, gelatin and glue industries. Each of these industries modifies its processing methods as concerns over safety, the environment or economics arise. Processing changes are generally evaluated in terms of impact on quality of product and costs to the industry, with little regard for the effects on downstream industries. Because the basis for tanning and other biomaterial applications is the stabilization of the collagen matrix, changes to the molecular characteristics of hide collagen may be expected to impact these applications. We have begun the development of protocols using hide samples removed from different stages in the beamhouse processes to evaluate the effects of processing changes. For example, a variety of dehairing processes are currently in use or under development. Do these different processes affect the tanner’s or the biomaterials engineer’s or the gelatin manufacturer’s substrate? Our model systems use intact and powdered hide and extracted collagen as well as our computational model. The results are anticipated to assist the tanner as well as the manufacturers of collagen-based biomaterials and gelatin in better understanding their substrate and changes to it that may occur when beam-house processes are altered.