Journal of Environmental Biology

Effect of microbial activities on stored raw buffalo hide

 

 

P.N. Shede¹, P.P. Kanekar*¹, A.V. Polkade¹, S.S. Sarnaik¹, P.K. Dhakephalkar¹,

S.A. Chiplonkar² and S.S. Nilegaonkar¹

¹Microbial Sciences Division, ²Biometry and Nutrition Group, Animal Sciences Division,

Agharkar Research Institute, G. G. Agarkar Road, Pune - 411 004, India

(Received: March 20, 2008; Revised received: November 15, 2008; Accepted: January 27, 2009)

 

Abstract: ?Keeping qualities? of hides are dependent on the total microbial flora associated with the hides and the biochemical changes brought about by these microorganisms during short-term storage at ambient temperature (28?2 ^oC). It was evident that within first 24 hr of hide?s ambient storage, bacterial load was raised to 8.8 log cfu g^-1 hide from 6.1 log cfu g^-1 hide. Nonlinear parabolic increase in release of hydroxyproline and tyrosine from stored hide was observed starting from 0 hr and confirming proteolytic activities. Continuous release of CO₂ from the stored hide suggested its mineralization. Exponential release of free fatty acids during storage indicated simultaneous lipolysis. Thus the process of biodegradation during the course of ambient storage of hide piece was found to progress steadily and seems to be interrelated as well as very complex. During the storage period, the liquefaction of hide piece was also observed visually within 96 hr. Present studies of assessment of bacterial activities on hide with respect to total bacterial load, release of amino acids, free fatty acids and evolved CO₂ ?provide data that can be used to formulate and evaluate hide curing agent(s) other than salt, thus rendering leather industry a platform to design bio-based technologies for efficient and ecofriendly preservation of raw materials.

Key words: Buffalo hide, Leather, Degradation, Hydroxyproline, Tyrosine, Ambient storage

Copyright ? 2009 Triveni Enterprises. All rights reserved. No part of the Journal can be reproduced in any form without prior permission. Responsibility regarding the authenticity of the data, and the acceptability of the conclusions enforced or derived, rest completely with the author(s).