Application of Marine Algae for Bio-tanning System A Sustainable Leather Manufacture Approach

Abstract

Sea weeds are plant-like organisms which are commonly grown in coastal regions. These materials are explored for different industrial applications such as food, cosmetics, chemicals, paint, pharmaceutical, etc. Several studies have been reported on the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of various seaweed. However, utilization of seaweed for stabilization of collagen has been less explored. Recovery and reuse of collagen from tannery waste was found to be more prominent in the waste to wealth mission of the leather industry. Bio-crosslinkers from marine waste would be a new avenue for collagen stabilization. In the present research, phlorotannin, has been extracted and characterized for its tanning  ability. Extracted phlorotannin was interacted with collagen at different hierarchical organizations (collagen solution, rat tail tendon and skin) to understand the interaction efficacy. Phlorotannin interacted collagen samples have been physico-chemically characterized through absorption and vibrational spectroscopic techniques. From these experimental studies, it has been found that extracted phlorotannin can act as a potential stabilizing agent, which enhances thermal resistance of the skin matrix. Phlorotannin substantially influences collagen aggregation, by enhancing the rate of aggregation without affecting the architectural ordering of collagen. This study implicates the waste utilization from coastal areas for stabilization of collagen, which is a by-product of meat industry.