Industrial Gelatin from Leather Chrome Shavings Wastes

Abstract

A step towards minimizing the environmental pollution of leather tanning , leather chrome shavings wastes were treated with Li2CO3 to extract technical or industrial gelatin as an added value material. Isolation and characterization of gelatin obtained from chrome-tanned shavings were done. The alkali hydrolysis products obtained, showed good physical and chemical properties in terms of gel strength, swelling and thermal stability. The optimum hydrolysis conditions using Li2CO3 were found to be 5 hr. extraction at 80°C, swelling time of one day and pH 9.5. The yield was over one third of the original starting waste material.