3.3. Preliminary trials of leather processing using enzyme
Preliminary trials were performed to evaluate the dehairing
potential of the enzyme (protease). Experimentally, 3 sets of
experiment were performed in which leather processing were
evaluated using (1) chemical method (chemical and water) (2)
enzyme assisted (enzyme and chemical) (3) enzyme mediated
(enzyme and water). It was observed that slight (þ) to moderate
(þþ) deharing were observed when only crude enzymes (unconcentrated)
were used (Table 2) in 30 h. However, complete
dehairing was observed with chemical and enzyme assisted
dehairing in 30 h.
Owing to potential of these enzymes (viz. protease and lipase),
the processes were standardized for the complete (þþþ) dehairing
and degreasing of skin and hides. Here for efficient beam house
operations both lipase and protease enzyme were efficiently
concentrated four times using ultra-filtration with 10 kDa mem-
brane cartridge which resulted in 16,250 U/mL of protease and
142 IU/mL of lipase.