No abstract

Histological skin parameters in addition to mechanical and chemical properties of chrome tanned rabbits’ furs were determined in this study to evaluate and compare the quality of some rabbit breeds. Seventy-nine male rabbits aged 3 mo of New Zealand White (NZW, n=27), Rex (RX, n=24) and Gabaly (GB, n=28) were used. Results showed that GB skins had the highest values in skin weight (P<0.01) and area (P<0.05) followed by NZW and RX skins, respectively. Moreover, NZW skins differed in histological structure from the other 2 breeds, as total thickness and thickness of papillary and hypodermis layers in NZW were more than twice those of RX and GB (P<0.05). This structure is caused by an increase in fine collagen fibre bundles in papillary layer and a limited increase in larger collagen fibre bundles in the reticular layer. Furthermore, finished tanned furs properties clarify the superiority of GB furs in values of tensile and tearing strengths followed by NZW and RX, respectively. These results point to the possibility of using the chrome tanned furs of the 3 breeds in leather garment manufacturing.

SULPHATED fatliquor was prepared from fats of sheep limed fleshing wastes to be used on small scale leather processing. The chemical properties of fats were determined before sulphation, thereafter they were neutralized with ammonium hydroxide to produce fatliquor. The chemical characteristics of the prepared fatliquor were then determined. The prepared fatliquor was applied onto light and heavy leather processing. Physical, chemical and organoleptic properties were determined, and scanning electron micrographs of finished leathers were obtained. The results showed that total fat content in sheep limed fleshing wastes constituted about 20% of its initial weight, of which unsaturated fats represented 60% and predominated as oleic acid. This indicates suitability of the prepared fatliquor for sheep leather processing. Additionally, the quality of finished leather processed by this technique is comparable to that obtained using a commercial fish oil-based fatliquor . These results imply that sulphated fatliquor derived from flesh waste can be reliably used in leather manufacturing as an appropriate alternative to traditional fatliquor to reduce tannery pollution and production costs.

The effect of breed and season on rabbits’ fur characteristics under Egyptian semi-arid conditions was studied in this research. Fifty-nine male rabbits aged 3-3.5 mo of Gabaly (GB, n=21) and New Zealand White (NZW, n=27) breeds and their crossbred (NZW×GB, n=11) were studied during two subsequent seasons; summer (n=31) and winter (n=28). Skin samples were taken pre-slaughtering to determine the histological parameters, skin layer thicknesses and physical traits of fur fibres. After slaughter, rabbits’ furs were chrome tanned to determine physical and chemical properties. Results showed that all histological parameters of follicle dimensions were affected (<em>P</em>&lt;0.01) by season, breed and their interaction. In summer, primary follicles had larger follicle dimensions and produced coarser fibres than in winter, whereas opposite results were observed for the secondary follicles. Additionally, the uniformity of fibre diameter distribution and hair length of furs were higher (<em>P</em>&lt;0.01) in summer than in winter. Results indicated the role of the seasonal variations in body coat to accommodate the climatic changes. NZW rabbits were superior (<em>P</em>&lt;0.01) in most histological parameters of follicle dimensions, followed by NZW×GB crossbred and finally GB rabbits, while NZW×GB crossbred produced finer (<em>P</em>&lt;0.01) fur fibre than NZW and GB rabbits. Otherwise, influence of season and breed were negligible on the skin layer thickness values and the physical and chemical fur properties. Consequently, the study concluded that tanned rabbit furs are suitable for manufacturing leather garments when used alone, while reinforcing the fur with textile padding may increase their utility for other leather manufacturing purposes.

The aim of this work was to study the effect of using biological treated Moringa stalks in feeding sheep on wool, skin and leather properties. Twenty-four male Barki lambs divided into three groups were used. All animals fed 2% of animal body weight on concentrate feed mixture, while the roughages fed ad libitum, thus the difference among groups was in roughage material. The control group fed Berssem hay, second group fed Moringa stalks treated with fungus (Trichoderma reesei) and third group fed Moringa stalks treated with yeast (Saccharomyces cervisiae). All skins and leathers were evaluated chemically and physically, in addition wool characteristics were determined for wool samples. The results indicated that majority of physical and chemical properties of skins, leathers and wool were not significantly differed among groups. Therefore, using Moringa stalks as roughage in rations not affected the quality of wool, skins or leathers, which are considered acceptable in different industrial purposes such as carpets, upper shoe, garment and lining.