The effect of pH and tanning agents on the quality of sheep leather using the ecoprinting dyeing method

Abstract

Leather eco-printing is an eco-friendly dyeing technique performed by transferring colors from plants. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effect of pH and tanning agents on the quality of sheep leather using eco-printing dyeing method to produce an eco-friendly animal product. A total of 30 sheep crust leather were randomly assigned using a 2 × 5 factorial arrangement, with three replications. The first factor was the leather tanning agent namely vegetable and mineral, while the second was pH of 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. The plants used in eco-printing were Kenikir (Cosmos caudatus) leaves, Kenikir flowers, Jatropha (Jatropha curcas) leaves, Ganitri (Elaeocarpus ganitrus) leaves, Ferns (Pteridophyta) leaves, Lanang (Oroxylum indicium) leaves and Teak (Tectona grandis) leaves. Color sharpness and fastness data were collected and then analyzed using a two-way analysis of variance followed by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test. The results showed interactions between the tanning method and pH (P = 0.01) on color sharpness, with the highest values produced in mineral leather processed under pH 9. Mineral leather had higher color sharpness and fastness values with P < 0.05 compared to vegetables. Furthermore, the pH significantly affected sharpness (P < 0.01) but had no effect on colorfastness. Based on the results, the combination of mineral tanning with a pH of 9 can be applied for eco-printing to produce the best sheep leather product.