Value Added Protein Products from Chrome Shavings
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2017-10
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Attention is invited to the fact that leather industry is the most polluting of all chemical
industries, which in turn are more polluting than others. The generation of huge quantity of
chromium containing solid wastes is the beginning the real threat. With respect to solid waste
potential, over 25% of the waste contains chromium. Implementation of cleaner technologies,
waste minimization, recovery and reuse of proteins and chemicals in the tanneries are very
important for suitable growth in leather industry, in the present context of stringent
environmental regulations on one hand and increased public awareness on the other.
Environmental protection aims at preventing pollution of soil, water and air. These require
evolving efficient solid waste management and no effluent technologies.
Hence, in the present investigation an attempt has been made to isolate the chromium and
collagen from chrome shaving waste thereby, converting the waste into valuable protein
products. Initially, the raw material and the isolated collagen hydrolysate were characterized for
ash, fat and chrome content and the results are 9.2%, 0.85%, 4.2mg/l and 0.9%, 0.9%, 2.3mg/l
respectively. Later the collagen was crosslinked with silica for application in retanning as protein
filler. The retanning study has been carried out on wetblue sheep skins and the resultant leathers
are subjected to scanning electron microscopic analysis and physical testing and the results are
comparable with those of conventional ones. Finally, the isolated collagen is converted into glue
for industrial applications. The colour of the prepared glue was compared with the commercially
available glue (prepared from limed fleshing) and the overall colour difference between local
glue and the glue from chrome shavings is more (ΔE=10).
Description
Keywords
Chrome Shavings