Cleaner techniques for the preservation of raw goat skins

As the popular salt curing system is considered detrimental to the environment, a search for safer alternative systems has been a top priority research in the area of leather science. The ill-effects of sodium chloride on the environment and eco-system need no emphasis. Hence there is an urgent need for the development and adoption of a viable cleaner curing system. In the present study, a short-term preservation technique using silica gel has been studied and standardized. The possibility of using silica gel in place of salt as a curing agent alone and in combination with a suitable biocide was studied at an ambient temperature of 31°C. The preservation efficacy of the methods was assessed by various parameters such as moisture content, total extractable nitrogen, and bacterial count. The layer wise moisture content was determined using a NMR micro-imaging technique. The effect of the new curing methods on the fibre structure of treated skins was assessed using scanning electron microscopic (SEM) studies. The pollution load generated in the processing of the skins treated using the new techniques is compared with that for salt cured stock. The results show that the cleaner preservation techniques developed were as efficient as salt curing for the preservation of skins. The new curing methods did not pose any problem either in soaking or in the leather manufacturing processes. The methods developed are found to be effective and viable options for combatting the pollution problems of chloride and total dissolved solids (TDS).