Fungal lipase and its use in easing sheep skins

Abstract

The optimum conditions for the maximum hydrolysis of skin lipid by a fungal lipase have been standardised. The skin lipid is found to be optimally hydrolysed at a pH between 5.8-7.9 and at 30°-370°C for one hour. A process for the manufacture of suede clothing leather using this fungal lipase as the decreasing agent has been developed. Using enzymatic pretanning processes viz., unhairing, bating and degreasing, the total load of tannery effluent has been minimised. Comparative chemical, physical and microscopical studies of the quality of leather thus produced from sheep skins showed the good degreasing efficiency of fungal lipase.