Neoteric Oxidizing Agent for Chamois Process

Abstract

Auto oxidation of oil is a moderate free radical chain reaction, started by homolytic fission of allylic hydrogen, which is a very receptive site in unsaturated hydrocarbon. This procedure converts unsaturated oil to oxygenated compounds, for example, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, esters, anhydrides etc. When these secondary oxidized products, specially aldehydes, reacts with amino acids of collagen, they stabilize the skin. Stabilization of collagen with oil is well known as chamois leather processing. In this investigation, an attempt has been made to decrease the span of chamois leather process and comprehend the procedure of oil tanning utilizing benzoyl per oxide as an oxidizing agent. It is plausible that the generation of unsaturated aldehydes has been upgraded by the utilization of oxidizing agent, which thus decreased the tanning time from 15 to 4 days. The experimental chamois leather had high water absorption (higher by 26%) than the control oil tanned leather. Further, physical strength properties, for example, tensile, tear and percentage elongation of chamois leather were seen to be comparable to control leathers. Organoleptic properties, for example, color, softness and odor of chamois leathers were enhanced compared with control leather. This study opens another path in the search of new oxidizing agents as a catalyst to decrease the duration of chamois leather making.