ECO-FRIENDLY ENZYMATIC DEHAIRING USING EXTRACELLULAR PROTEASES FROM ABACILLUS SPECIES ISOLATE

In search for an eco-friendly enzymatic option for the unhairing proce ss, a strain belonging to Bacillus spp. has been isolated and evaluate d for its efficacy. In the laboratory scale experiments conducted, the activity and the performance of the enzyme satisfied the conditions n ecessary for its application in unhairing. The comparison of the micro scopical structures of the enzyme treated and lime-sulphide treated pe lts have been studied and these results along with the physical testin g data for the strength properties of the leather are presented in thi s paper. These results indicate that the enzyme has good potential to be exploited as an environmentally friendly option in unhairing as the bend is more towards cleaner technologies presently.