A Review of Bio-tanning Materials for Processing of Fish Skin into Leather

Abstract

Leather is a durable and flexible material created by the tanning of animal raw hide and skin, primarily cattle hide and natural grain, variation in the grains, good breathability and other natural features are all signs that the material is genuine. The most commonly used tanning methods are chrome and vegetable tanning. The bio-tanning of hide/skin refers to tanning of hide or skin by employing vegetables, animals especially brain and microorganism (enzyme) to produce leather as it is considered as the "green tanning agent" because of its biodegradation and environmental friendly as well as can easily be applied for various sorts of leather. The vegetable tannins are extracted by using a suitable solvent, usually water followed by concentration and spray drying to get powder or solid. The production of fish skin leather is based on taking waste and turning it into a useful product and due to similarity in strength to tough cow hide, can be used for anything from handbags, belts, clothing, small accessories and shoes, furniture, interior decoration, etc.

Keywords: leather, bio-tanning, tannins, fish skin, spray drying, vacuum drying, tilapia fish