Potential applications for gelatin isolated from chromium-containing solidtannery waste: Microencapsulation

Gelatin has been extensively used in simple and complex coacervation techno logies to microencapsulate drugs, essential oils, perfumes, and other mater ials. The aim of this work was to use gelatin isolated from chromium-contai ning solid tannery waste to demonstrate the potential application of this p roduct in microencapsulation. As a model, an anionic semi-synthetic fatliqu or, typically used in the tanning industry, was microencapsulated by comple x coacervation using gelatin and acacia. The behaviors of commercial gelati ns (75 and 225 g Bloom) and alkali- or enzyme-extracted gelatins from chrom e shavings were compared. The microencapsulation process was repeatable and no significant differences were found between commercial and extracted gel atins. Sieving analysis showed similar size particles in the different samp les, and microscopic analysis showed that the particles had a tendency to a ggregate. The marketability of a product with such a potential application should encourage the industry to recycle tannery wastes instead of dumping them into landfills.