Insights into the Molecular Composition of the Skins and Hides used in Leather Manufacture

摘要

Increasing demand for information about the effects of the beamhouse processes on animal skins and hides led to the need to determine the differences among different animal skins and hides at molecular level which results in significant changes in their strength. This is a comprehensive study of the molecular components of four animal skins commonly used to manufacture shoes, clothing and furniture to identify common indicators of skin strength. First, the strength of each species was assessed using tear strength and the denaturation temperature. Then the concentration of the following molecular compounds: amino acids, natural collagen crosslinks and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) were determined. Significant differences in their molecular compositions were found particularly the types and amount of the natural collagen crosslinks which are known to be essential for skin strength. We found that sheep skin contained the lowest collagen content and highest GAG concentrations compared to goat and deer skins and cow hide. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time where the collagen crosslinks of skin and hide of different species are measured and compared. This study shows that different species have different underlying molecular composition of skins and hides resulting in strength differences. This understanding will help to modify the current leather processing protocols to produce stronger leather.