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Optimization of Enzymatic Degreasing of Sheep Leather for an Efficient Approach and Leather Quality Improvement Using Fractional Experimental Design

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Abstract

Leather industry is making significant contributions to economic development. However, it is notably leading to a serious environmental pollution. Recently, the enzyme technology developments offer new opportunities for enzymatic application in leather making. In the present investigation, microbial lipases were studied and used in degreasing process of sheep leathers. In order to optimize degreasing efficiency, a fractional experimental design with four parameters (enzyme source, processing stage, lipase amount, and degreasing duration) was used. Lipases A from Aspergillus niger, F from Rhizopus oryzae, R from Penicillium roqueforti, and AY from Candida rugosa were selected for leather degreasing. Enzymatic treatment of sheep skin was carried out during two stages of beamhouse operations: deliming-bating and pickling. Obtained results showed that enzymatic degreasing efficiency is higher than those obtained with the conventional process. Lipase F from Rhizopus oryzae demonstrated the most interesting hydrolysis with yields of 58.3% and 37.2% for delimed and pickled skins, respectively. An enzymatic degreasing process on pickled leather using 0.125% (w/v) of lipase F during 3.5 h is the most promising for an industrial application with a 76.03 of degreasing efficiency. Results of the physico-mechanical tests of leathers having undergone enzymatic treatment complied with industry requirement. The enzymatic treatment may be carried out in the same conditions as employed in leather manufacturing process. Results suggested that the enzymatic degreasing improves the leather quality and reduces the use of chemical compounds and surfactant.

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Funding

This work was supported by the Tunisian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

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  1. Ines Ben Rejeb

    Present address: Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, LR05ES08 Laboratory of Microbial Ecology and Technology, University of Carthage, National Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology (INSAT), BP 676, 1080, Tunis, Cedex, Tunisia

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, LR05ES08 Laboratory of Microbial Ecology and Technology, University of Carthage, National Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology (INSAT), BP 676, 1080, Tunis, Cedex, Tunisia

    Yosra Messaoudi & Mohamed Gargouri

  2. Centre National du Cuir Et de La Chaussure, 17 Rue du cuir, Zone Industrielle Sidi Rzig, 2033, Ben Arous, Tunisia

    Haifa Khemir & Neila Miled

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  1. Ines Ben Rejeb
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Contributions

This work was designed and coordinated by Ines Ben Rejeb, Haifa Khemir, and Mohamed Gargouri. Ines Ben Rejeb, Neila Miled, and Yosra Messaoudi performed the experiments and analyzed the data. The manuscript was written and commented by all authors.

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Correspondence to Ines Ben Rejeb.

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Ben Rejeb, I., Khemir, H., Messaoudi, Y. et al. Optimization of Enzymatic Degreasing of Sheep Leather for an Efficient Approach and Leather Quality Improvement Using Fractional Experimental Design. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 194, 2251–2268 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010-021-03769-5

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