One step to prepare fatliquor from the extracted fat of cowhide fleshings for using in leather processing

In leather making, fat/oil is applied to prevent fiber resticking during drying consequently which promotes to desire softness, handle, feel, water resistance and physical strength. Fatliquor is chemically modified of animal and vegetable oils or is derived synthetically. In beamhouse, fleshingis encountered just after liming to remove flesh and natural fat from the swollen pelts where extensive amount of solid waste (fleshings) is produced. Fleshings contain huge amount of fat which could be a great source for the production of fatliquor. Here cowhide fat was extracted from delimed fleshings using Soxhlet extractor that was solidified at room temperature. The fat was characterized by acid value, saponification value and iodine values. Afterward sulfited fatliquor was prepared from the extracted fat using sodium bisulfitewhich gives solubility and stability of emulsion. The prepared fatliquor was subjected for stability studies and applied in leather processing. The fatliquor was stable in salt, tanning and basifying agent. The physical, chemical and fastness properties of produced leather with prepared fatliquor were very closer to conventional fatliquor. The process could be optimized in large scale which will be offer advantages to reduce environmental impact as well as to produce new product for using in leather processing.