The efficiency of boric acid as an alternate to NaCl for the preservation of cattle hides

AbstractThe fresh buffalo hides (n = 6) were cut into two equal parts and categorized into three equal groups. The first group was treated with 50% NaCl; the second group hides were treated with 5% of boric acid (BA), and the third group hides were with NaCl + BA (10:1). Hair loss was seen at the sample margins of hides trea ted with 50% NaCl, with a slight odor. In the second group, there was neither hair loss nor a pungent smell was felt. The nitrogen content of the preserved hide was measured at different durations during the experimental period, i.e., 0 h, 24 h on day 7th, and day 14th. The nitrogen level reduced significantly (P <  0.05) from 0 h to day 14th of the experiment in hides treated with 50% of NaCl and 5% of boric acid, while this trend was found non-significant (P >  0.05) in hides treated with the combination of NaCl + BA. At 0 h, the moisture content for 50% of NaCl-treated hides was 64.82 ± 0.38% moisture content for 5% of boric acid was 63.89 ± 0.59, while for the NaCl + BA combination 61.69 ± 1.09 was observed. Moisture content fo r 50% of NaCl on day 14th was 38.87 ± 0.42; for boric acid, it was 37.76 ± 1.12, and for the combination of both, the moisture content was 34.56 ± 0.41%. A similar decreasing trend of moisture contents was found in hides treated with different preservatives. After 14 days of treatmen t, the bacterial count for 50% of NaCl was 2 × 109; for boric acid, it was 1...
Source: Tropical Animal Health and Production - Category: Veterinary Research Source Type: research