Damage of Pickled Hides, Wet-blue Leather and Vegetable Tanned Leather Due to Biodeteriation

Abstract

Fungi and bacteria can be responsible for undesirable changes in hides and leather. This study identifies some of the defects caused by fungal growth on pickled hides, wet blue leather and vegetable-tanned leather, such as stains, protein material loss, deterioration of grain layer, and modification of the physical and mechanical properties of resistance. The assessment of the samples exposed to microbiological attack was carried out through visual observation, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), tensile strength test and determination of mass loss. Leather without preservation or treated with insufficient of antimicrobial agent to prevent fungal contamination showed changes in the structure, loss of protein material, a reduction in physical and mechanical properties as well as the presence of stains that may compromise the quality of the final product.