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Research Project: Improving the Quality of Animal Hides, Reducing Environmental Impacts of Hide Production, and Developing Value-Added Products from Wool

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Title: Preservation of hides using low salt methods

Author
item LIU, CHENG KUNG
item Muir, Zerlina

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/5/2015
Publication Date: 10/1/2015
Citation: Liu, C., Muir, Z.E. 2015. Preservation of hides using low salt methods [abstract]. Meeting Abstract. p. 101.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Effective, environmentally friendly, economical preservation of hides for shipping to hide processing plants is a major concern to the hides and skins industry. Raw hides are traditionally preserved with a high amount of salt before they are stored and shipped to tanneries to be processed into leather. Thus, a large volume of water with high salinity adds more to the cost of waste water treatment causing the need for low salt or salt free preservation alternatives. ARS researchers at Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania have initiated a research project to develop low salt (with more than 50% reduction in salt) hide preservation methods with less impact to the environment. A small-scale trial showed effective preservations of hides can be achieved by using less salt with crude glycerol and dehydrating agents. Observations showed that cured hide samples and leather from this method were similar to those obtained from traditional curing.