Utilization of Limed Flesh Through Fat Extraction and Soap Preparation

Leather industry is an export oriented industry in Bangladesh and according to the Export Promotion Bureau, in the fiscal year 2017–2018 leather sector earned US$1.03 billion by exporting leather, leather products, and footwear [1] . But it is a matter of great concern that this industry produces lots of pollution which impacts on our environment immensely. Normally thousands of kg raw cattle hide converts into 200kg finished leather [2]. Leather processing (tanning) is a complex procedure comprising of several technological steps to shield the raw hide/skin against microbiological degradation as well as to stabilize collagen with defined tanning agents which produce a significant amount of waste. Wastes originate from all stages of leather manufacturing, such as tiny particles, residues from various tanning stages and reagents from different waste liquors comprising of cuttings of raw hides and skins , trimmings and shavings, fleshing residues, solid hair debris [3]. In this conversion process the amount of total solid waste produces is about 450-550kg. This work is intended to develop a fat extraction method from the limed flashings for soap production. In leather processing, just after washing, following the liming process, swollen pelts (lime treated hide/skin) have to pass through an operation to remove the remaining fat and flesh from the flesh side in order to improve the diffusion of chemicals into pelt is known as fleshing. Generally, fleshings are kept indiscriminately nearly the industrial area as green, which has an adverse effect on the environment including human health. It contains a considerable amount of fat, which could be great source raw materials for soap. The process could be optimized for large scale production, which would be allowed to produce a new product for the commercial use. The approach could also contribute a significant reduction in the environmental impact of inevitable solid waste and decrease the costs associated with disposal.