Abstract

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Increasing environmental pressures are forcing tanneries to reduce the level of nitrogenous compounds in generated effluents, due to strict regulations on effluent quality from various unit processes which bating plays a vital role. Bating imparts smoothness and stretchy effect to the resultant leather with the addition of proteolytic enzymes which are expensive, hence the need for alternative sources. This research investigated the bating potential of dried Musa acuminata peel in the production of leather. The functional groups present in both conventional bate and dried sieved M acuminata peels were analyzed using Fourier Transform Infrared instrument. Bating trials were varied based on the weight of the three goat skins with reference to the percentages offered as: 1%, 2 % and 3 % of M. acuminata at 310 K for 30, 45, 50, 60 and 120 min respectively. Absorptive frequencies of the powdered bate, M. acuminata and raw pelt (treated raw skins) shows that there were –C=O functional groups in M. acuminata and raw pelt but absent in the conventional bate before applications on the pelts. Absorptive frequencies for conventional bate and M. acuminata on Pelts after application on the pelts shows that carbonyl group were absent in Conventional bate; 2 % M. acuminata and 3 % M. acuminata on the pelt which shows that carboxylic acid ionizes to effect bating of the collagen but was not observed in sample 2 % M. acuminata (1543.1 cm-1 ). Temperature of 310 K at which bating was carried out with respect to the time taken (35, 80, 60 and 50 was used for comparison between Sample of 3 % M. acuminata (50 min of mechanical agitation, at 310 K activity environment) when compared with the conventional bate of 1 % offered (35 min of mechanical agitation, at 310 K activity environment) accounts for 15 min difference for the M. acuminata peel to achieve the needed porosity via the ionization of the carboxylic group before and after bating. Shrinkage temperature for samples of Conventional bate (1 %) M. acuminata (1 %) M. acuminata (2 %) and M. acuminata (3 %) range from 369 – 371 K with respect to chrome tanning. Ball burst analysis for samples. M. acuminata (1 %), M. acuminata (2 %) and M. acuminata (3 %) indicated that the force at load crack (N) for the control sample was higher than those of samples M. acuminata (2 %) and M. acuminata (3 %). The retention at burst in maximum value for all the other samples was higher than that of the control while in displacement the control sample (Conventional bate) gave the highest value on Load at crack.

Keywords: Musa acuminata, bate, porosity, shrinkage temperature, ball burst