Sky Fruit Seed Crush (SFSC): A potential Source of less Salt Curing of Raw Goatskin

Abstract

The curing of raw hides and skins using sodium salt is a widely recognized technique, although it has negative consequences on the environment by elevating water salinity and introducing a significant amount of Total Dissolved Solid (TDS). In order to tackle this issue, goat skin was conserved through the utilization of a mixture consisting of crushed sky fruit seeds and sodium salt. Various ratios of mixture were tested on raw goat skin, and the optimal outcome was achieved by utilizing a blend consisting of 10% seed crush and 10% sodium salt, based on the weight of the raw skin. The experimental specimen effectively endured a month-long continuous evaluation of preservation-related variables such as odor, hair loss, shrinkage temperature, moisture level, and bacterial population during the trial period. The experimental sample and the sample preserved according to conventional methods were subjected to the standard leather processing technique. The liquor from both samples was analyzed to confirm the impact of environmental factors on preservation. The results of the experiment indicate 59% decrease in the levels of total dissolved solids (TDS) and 44% reduction of chloride (Cl−) content. The processed leather samples were assessed for their quality through the analysis of their physical properties and fiber structure using a scanning electron microscope (SEM).