Effect of age and gender of animal on physicomechanical properties of Bangladeshi goat leather

Authors: HASHEM, MD - Khulna University Of Engineering & Technology (KUET); PAYEL, SOFIA - Khulna University Of Engineering & Technology (KUET); HASAN, MD - Khulna University Of Engineering & Technology (KUET); RAIHAN, ASM - Khulna University Of Engineering & Technology (KUET); Sarker, Majher

Submitted to: Small Ruminant Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/8/2023
Publication Date: 2/11/2023
Citation: Hashem, M.A., Payel, S., Hasan, M.A., Raihan, A.A., Sarker, M.I. 2023. Effect of age and gender of animal on physicomechanical properties of Bangladeshi goat leather. Small Ruminant Research. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2023.106933.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2023.106933

Interpretive Summary: This research study evaluates the effect of gender and age of animal on leather quality. The findings will be very useful for the leather industries to help produce the best quality of leather which is a valuable byproduct of meat production. In this investigation, leather produced from goatskins of different ages and gender are assessed and compared. The physicomechanical properties analysis of the produced leathers revealed a high correlation in property differences based on age and gender of the animal. For example, chromium uptake during the tanning process was maximized in skins from goats that were 1.5 years old. This study will be helpful for the tanners to design a more informed tanning process based on the targeted usages.

Technical Abstract: Bangladeshi goat leather is worldwide renowned for its very special grain pattern. Due to the lack of proper management of animal husbandry, slaughtering, flaying, and preservation, the effect of animal’s age and sex on the final leather quality is still unknown. In this investigation, leather produced from goatskins of different ages and gender are assessed and compared. Twelve (12) freshly flayed goatskins (6 male and 6 female) of age 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 3.5, and 5.0 years were collected and processed for chrome tanned crust leather production. The physicomechanical properties e.g., tensile strength, percentage of elongation, double edge tear load, stitch tear strength, ball bursting test and chrome content of the produced leathers were determined. Pearson’s correlation coefficient showed a high correlation between the stitch tearing strength and elongation percentage. Maximum chromium contents found among the processed leather samples were 31.48 and 29.18 g/kg for male and female, respectively at the age of 1.5 years. This study provides a new dimension to leather manufacturing outcomes depending on the age and gender of the raw skin and it will be helpful for the tanners to design a more informed tanning process based on the targeted usages.