make a paste for enzyme-assisted process. For experimental
group, optimized dip method was adopted for goatskins,
wherein the soaked skins were suspended in
dehairing float of pH 7.5-9.0 comprising 1% enzyme,
100% water and 0.2% sodium carbonate for pH adjustment.
The float was left for 6 hand dehaired. All the percentages
were based on soaked weight (Table 1).
Dehairing of control and experimental hides was performed
using dip method. Soaked halves of control and
experimental hides were subjected to green fleshing wherein
the flesh tissue underlying the corium stratum was removed
to some extent without causing any damage to corium
matrix. For conventional process, the hides were dipped
in 100% water float comprising 10% lime and 3% sulfide
for 18 hand dehaired the next day. Similarly, 2% enzyme,
6% lime, 2% sulfide and 100% water were employed for
positive control. For experimental group, hides were suspended
in a 100% water float of pH 7.5-9.0, containing
2% enzyme and 0.4% sodium carbonate. The float was left
for 6 hand dehaired. All the percentages were based on
defleshed weight (Table I).
Subsequently, both controls and experimental groups of
dehaired pelts were relimed using 100% water with 10%
lime (based on the weight of dehaired pelts) for 2 d with
occasional handling. The relimed control pelts were then
delimed, bated and pickled in a drum whereas the relimed
experimental pelts were pickled without bating. The pickled
skins and hides were finished as dyed crusts as per conventional
procedures.