Alkaliphilic Enzymes and Their Application in Novel Leather Processing Technology for Next-Generation Tanneries.

Alkaliphilic Enzymes and Their Application in Novel Leather Processing Technology for Next-Generation Tanneries. Adv Biochem Eng Biotechnol. 2019 May 03;: Authors: Wanyonyi WC, Mulaa FJ Abstract Leather manufacturing involves conversion of raw skin and hides into leather (stable material) through series of mechanical and chemical operations. The leather industry has attracted public outcry due to severe environmental degradation, pollution and health and safety risks. Currently the industry faces serious sustainability challenge due to extensive use of toxic chemicals and generation of hazardous waste. This chapter describes the polluting chemicals consumed in different stages of conventional leather processing and the nature of waste generated. In order to overcome the hazards caused by toxic chemicals in tanneries and protect the environment, enzymes have been identified as a realistic alternate for chemicals used in beam house operation and waste management. Alkaline active proteases of alkaliphiles offer advantages over the use of conventional chemical catalysts for numerous reasons, for example, they exhibit high catalytic activity and high degree of substrate specificity, can be produced in large amounts and are economically viable. This is because the enzymes of these alkaliphiles are capable of catalysing reactions at the extremes of pH, temperature and salinity of leather-manufacturing processes.The chapter describes how alk...
Source: Advances in Biochemical Engineering Biotechnology - Category: Biotechnology Authors: Tags: Adv Biochem Eng Biotechnol Source Type: research