Associated Use of Enzymes and Hydrogen Peroxide for Cowhide Hair Removal

Abstract

This study evaluated the use of enzymatic extract produced by a strain of Bacillus subtilis in combination with hydrogen peroxide for hair removal of cowhides. Were tested two concentrations of enzymatic extract (100 and 300 U g-1 of hide), and two concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (4% and 8%). The hides were evaluated visually, and wastewater was evaluated through analysis of total nitrogen, total, fixed and volatile dissolved solids, glycosaminoglycans, proteoglycans and hydroxyproline. The oxidative-enzymatic unhairing didn’t cause destruction of hair and reduced the process time compared to the conventional and the enzymatic unhairing. The results showed that the oxidative-enzymatic unhairing can be a viable alternative to the use of lime and sodium sulfide on hair removal.